Contact Information
General Contact
- School Code: 123200
- Phone: (415) 834-0000 x0000
- School Homepage
Admissions Office
Financial Aid Office
FINANCIAL AID RATE
73%STUDENT TEACHER RATIO
27:1DEGREE OFFERED ONLINE
26FINANCIAL AID AWARD AVG.
$2,416Average Grants + Scholarship Aid Awarded to Undergraduate Students
Percent of Full-Time Undergraduates Receiving Financial Aid
Percent of Students Paying In-State Tuition vs Out-of-State Tuition
School Map
Computer Science Degree
The computer science degree program at American River College enables students to get instruction with a general focus on computers from a scientific perspective, including problems, solutions, design of computer systems, and user interfaces. Students who graduate from the computer science degree program will have gained knowledge in courses such as the principles of computational science, and computing theory, computer hardware design, computer development and programming, and applications to a variety of end-use situations. Get more details below including other California colleges that offer computer science degrees.
Learn more by requesting information now!

American River College
30 Grant Ave, San Francisco, CA
American River College (ARC) is a two-year public college that is part of the Los Rios Community College District in the five-county region of Sacramento, California. The other community colleges in this district include Cosumnes River College, Folsom Lake College and Sacramento City College. ARC grants occupational certificates and technical education as well as associate's degrees. There are also online classes and e-services available. ARC offers excellent post-secondary education to students seeking to transfer to four-year institutions.
Known for its innovative programs, ARC is also one of the largest community colleges in California. It transfers a significant number of students to UC Davis and California State University - Sacramento.
History
In 1942, Sacramento's Grant Union Junior College was opened to train civilians for service in World War II. It grew as a technical college and the name was changed in 1945, and again in 1955, when it became American River Junior College District. In 1965, the college was renamed American River College (ARC) and became part of the Los Rios Community College District.
ARC began providing training for Sacramento police, sheriff, fire personnel, and the basic police academy at the Sacramento Regional Public Safety Training Center.
Academics
American River College follows the semester system, offering a fall, spring and summer semester.
In addition to running the Sacramento Regional Public Safety Training Center, ARC offers numerous programs of study on its main campus.
ARC Programs of Study:
- Behavioral & Social Sciences
- Computer Science & Information Technology
- English
- Fine & Applied Arts
- Health & Education
- Humanities
- Mathematics
- Physical Education & Athletics
- Science & Engineering
- Technical Education
Student Life
American River College serves a large and diverse student body, and offers many student programs and support services including:
- Accelerated College Education (ACE)
- CalWORKS (California Work Opportunity and Responsibility to Kids)
- Career Center
- Child Development Centers
- Cooperative Agencies Resources Education (CARE)
- Counseling Center
- Disabled Students Programs and Services
- English as a Second Language (ESL) Center
- EOPS (Extended Opportunity Programs and Services)
- Foster and Kinship Care Education - Independent Living Program
- Four Directions College Success Program (FDCSP)
- Honors Program
- Journey
- Learning Communities
- Learning Disabilities (LD) Program
- Learning Resource Center (LRC)
- Library
- Mathematics, Engineering and Science Achievement Program (MESA)
- Math Multimedia Learning Center (MMLC)
- Partnership to Assure College Entry (PACE)
- Puente Program
- Reading Across Disciplines (RAD)
- Reading Center
- Re-entry and Veterans Information Center
- Science Skills Center
- Tutorial Center
- Writing Across the Curriculum (WAC)
There are many ARC campus events and recreational activities available to ARC students that include theatre and music performances, sports events, career fairs and workshops, as well as "College Hour," which offers a calendar of various talks, panels and discussions of timely issues.
Traditions
The "stately" oak tree is the college's official symbol and the beaver its official mascot (nicknamed "Igor" for "eager-beaver".)
Athletics
The American River College's Beaver Teams are active in many intercollegiate athletics including:
Men's Sports:
- Basketball
- Cross Country
- Football
- Soccer
- Water Polo
- Baseball
- Golf
- Swimming
- Tennis
- Track & Field
Women's Sports:
- Basketball
- Cross Country
- Golf
- Soccer
- Volleyball
- Water Polo
- Softball
- Swimming
- Track & Field
- Tennis
Satellite Campuses
American River College has several Off-Campus Centers offering classes around the Sacramento metro area that include:
- Ethan Way Center
- Mather Center
- McClellan Center
- Natomas Center
- San Juan Center
- Twin Rivers Pre-Apprenticeship Training Center
Community Life
American River College's Community and Diversity Center Initiative (CDCI) was established to provide bridges between its students and the community. The CDCI offers resources for opportunities to meet other students and community members to build a support network. Its mission is to help students and community expand and grow with "cross-cultural understanding, awareness and responsiveness."
Students Enrolled in the Computer Science Program
Get more details below regarding enrollment, academics, and school demographics. American River College offers an associate's degree program in computer science.
Students by Gender (2019)
Graduates | |
---|---|
Male | 23 |
Female | 5 |
Students by Race (2019)
Graduates | |
---|---|
Asian | 7 |
Hispanic | 5 |
White | 14 |
Multiple Races | 2 |
Source: IPEDS Survey 2012-2020: Data obtained from the US Dept. of Education's Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). Data may vary depending on school and academic year.
Career Options for Graduates
Upon completion of the Computer Science program at American River College, most students have pursued careers in the following fields:Computer and Information Systems Managers
Description
Plan, direct, or coordinate activities in such fields as electronic data processing, information systems, systems analysis, and computer programming.
Career Outlook & Projections (
)
According to the BLS, computer and information systems managers employment is expected to grow at a rate of 15.4% from 2014 to 2024
Salary & Wages
- Oakland-Hayward-Berkeley, CA Metropolitan Division
- Total Employment: 3
- Average Hourly Rate: $76.02
- Average Annual Salary: $158120
- San Francisco-Redwood City-South San Francisco, CA Metropolitan Division
- Total Employment: 7
- Average Hourly Rate: $88.60
- Average Annual Salary: $184290
Computer and Information Research Scientists
Description
Conduct research into fundamental computer and information science as theorists, designers, or inventors. Develop solutions to problems in the field of computer hardware and software.
Information Security Analysts
Description
Plan, implement, upgrade, or monitor security measures for the protection of computer networks and information. May ensure appropriate security controls are in place that will safeguard digital files and vital electronic infrastructure. May respond to computer security breaches and viruses.
Computer Programmers
Description
Create, modify, and test the code, forms, and script that allow computer applications to run. Work from specifications drawn up by software developers or other individuals. May assist software developers by analyzing user needs and designing software solutions. May develop and write computer programs to store, locate, and retrieve specific documents, data, and information.
Source: Job descriptions, estimated salary and wages, and projected job growth are taken from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
Admission Requirements & Details
The admissions information below may give an overview of the students American River College accepts. The details may include admissions application requirements and recommendations, as well as any college or dual credits that may be transferred.
College Credits Accepted
- Dual Credits
- Life Experience Credits
- AP Course Credits
Academics & Student Services
Student Services
To support students and graduates, American River College may offer student services like:- Distance learning
- Remedial instructional courses
- Counseling assistance
- Employing students to lower education costs
- Employment search assistance
- Child care
Intercollegiate Athletics
- Baseball
- Basketball
- Football
- Golf
- Soccer
- Softball
- Swimming and Diving
- Tennis
- Track and Field, Outdoor
- Track and Field, X-Country
- Volleyball
- Water Polo