Chaffey College

Serving the population on the vibrant inland empire of western San Bernardino County in southern California, Chaffey College is a comprehensive two-year community college situated in the suburban setting of Rancho Cucamonga in the northern part of Alta Loma. Home to more than 18,182 students annually, Chaffey College provides quality affordable education to residents of Chino, Chino Hills, Fontana, Guasti, Montclair, Mt. Baldy, Ontario, Rancho Cucamonga, and Upland. Known for being a leader in offering students cost-effective educational resources, the Chaffey Bookstore has one of the deepest new, used, rental, and e-book textbook programs in the entire nation.

As the oldest community college in sunny California, Chaffey College was first established in 1883 when Ontario city founders George and William Chaffey donated the land for a private college. After originally being founded as the Chaffey College of Agriculture for the University of Southern California (USC), financial troubles forced the school to close in 1901. As a result, the building was taken over by the city and created into a post-graduate department of the Chaffey Union High School District during the New Deal. It was not until 1957 that Chaffey College was created as a separate junior college district and was moved to its current strategic location in the heart of Alta Loma.

Fully accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges in the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC), Chaffey College awards associate degrees and occupational certificates in a variety of fields. The college consists of six academic divisions for the Schools of Business and Applied Technology, Health Sciences, Language Arts, Mathematics and Science, Social and Behavioral Sciences, and Visual and Performing Arts. Among the most popular degree options are in nursing, education, psychology, biology, engineering, fire technology, business, and aviation.

Outside of the classroom, Chaffey College offers over 35 recognized student organizations in a variety of special interests ranging from Anime Club and Future Teachers Club to Pre-Med Society and the Gay-Straight Alliance. Nicknamed the Panthers, Chaffey College also sponsors varsity teams in football, baseball, basketball, soccer, water polo, volleyball, and softball for intercollegiate competition in the California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA). Some of the most notable former Panthers include Newbery Medal winner Beverly Cleary, MLB pitcher Rollie Fingers, and musician Frank Zappa.