Public
Accredited · Western Association of Schools and Colleges Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges
Imperial, California
Imperial Valley College — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
$12,466Annual Cost
$34,487Grad Salary
50.4%Pell Grant
Selectivity
Open Enrollment
Institution Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Accredited By
Western Association of Schools and Colleges Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges
SAT Middle 50%
-40–30
Avg Net Price
$1,697
Need-Based Aid
50.4% receive Pell
Imperial Valley College serves California's border region with strong agriculture programs. Founded in 1922, IVC features the main campus in Imperial.
The college excels in renewable energy and nursing programs. IVC's 'Dreamers Success Center' supports undocumented students.
Imperial Valley College Acceptance Rate
Admission at Imperial Valley College is inclusive by design: 100% of applicants who meet basic eligibility are accepted.
What to Expect
- Eligibility First: A high school diploma or GED typically clears the main bar.
- Plan Ahead for Placement: Placement tests can shape which courses you start in — worth preparing for.
Selectivity at a Glance
Open Enrollment
Selectivity scale: Open Enrollment — rate not reported
Most Selective (0%)Open Enrollment (100%)
A GPA a bit under the average isn't disqualifying at this tier — a solid test score or clear leadership record can offset it.
Source: IPEDS & College Scorecard (Nov 2025).
Imperial Valley College Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Imperial Valley College follows a Rolling Admissions policy, meaning applications are reviewed as they arrive and there is no single fixed deadline.
Key Admission Dates
Rolling Admissions — Apply Anytime
IVC reviews applications continuously throughout the year. Seats and scholarships are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, so applying early gives you a significant advantage for both admission and financial aid.
Deadlines are verified from official institutional sources but may change each cycle. Always confirm final dates on the official website.
Check Your Admission Chances at IVC
Admission Chance Predictor
Built from Imperial Valley College's own verified admissions data — adjust the sliders below
--%
Calculating Profile...
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
Your SAT Score 1200
Your Unweighted GPA 3.00
⚠️ Note: Predicting based on regional averages as this institution does not publicly report full score datasets.
Calculated via College Portal's Human-Intelligence (HI) Methodology & Editorial Standards. Verified by Sohaib Ahmad Khan.
Imperial Valley College (IVC) Test Requirements
Scores aren't just a formality at IVC — landing within or above the 2026 admitted class's middle 50% keeps you fully competitive, even where submission is optional.
Can I Get Into IVC Without SAT or ACT?
IVC's test-score policy isn't published. As a default, submit your score only if it's at or above the state/national average — a below-average score can work against you.
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for IVC
Inclusive Strategy: Success & Transfer
Getting into IVC is the easy part — what matters next is using placement testing, advising, and available resources to set up a strong first year.
Lock your priority registration date by finishing all four enrollment steps fast
General admission via CCCApply is open, but priority registration - which determines whether you actually get into the classes you need - depends on completing orientation, the English/math placement step, and a Student Education Plan (SEP) with a counselor. Students who apply but stall on steps 2-4 lose their place in line even though they were "accepted."
If you're aiming for the RN program, build your science GPA around the exact Multi-Criteria Grid courses
IVC's nursing admission isn't a simple application - it's a ranked points system. You need BIOL 220 (Microbiology), BIOL 200/204 (Anatomy), and BIOL 202/206 (Physiology) at no less than a 2.5 overall GPA in that science block, plus a separate 2.5 GPA floor across a fixed gen-ed set (PSY 204, ENG 105/C1000, SOC 101 or ANTH 102, COMM C1000, NURS 100). Since ranking is by points, raising your science GPA from 2.6 to 3.4 measurably changes your odds even though both clear the minimum.
Take the TEAS exam early and treat the two-attempt cap as real
The nursing program requires a TEAS score of 62% or higher, and IVC enforces a hard two-attempt limit with a mandatory four-month wait between attempts - fail twice and you are permanently barred from applying to IVC's RN program. Schedule your first attempt with a real prep runway through the Study Skills Center rather than treating it as a formality.
If you live in Mexicali or within 45 miles of the border, confirm AB-91 in-state tuition eligibility before you budget
Under the AB-91 memorandum, students residing in Mexico within 45 miles of the California border can attend IVC at in-state tuition rates - a structural cost advantage specific to this region that most generic college-cost advice won't mention.
Expert Insight:
Because IVC is open-admission overall, students and even some advisors assume "I'll just apply when I'm ready" works for every program - but the RN program rejected close to 60% of eligible (not just any) applicants in recent years before its 2025 capacity expansion, and ranking is GPA-points-driven, not first-come. Treating nursing prerequisites as something to finish "eventually" rather than optimizing them early is the single biggest avoidable mistake counselors see here.
IVC Profile
Full Name
Imperial Valley College (IVC)
City
Imperial
State
California
ZIP Code
92251-0158
Type
Public
Campus
Main Campus
Official Website
Accredited By
Western Association of Schools and Colleges Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (WASCJC)
Is a IVC Degree Worth It?
Whether IVC is worth it depends less on its reputation and more on your program choice, financial aid package, and career goals — here's the data to weigh it against.
Admitted students' families report a median household income around $45,500, and graduates see a 6.78% unemployment rate.
How much does a degree from IVC Cost?
Listed tuition runs $12,466/year at IVC; factor in Pell and federal grant aid and most students land closer to $1,697.
At IVC, 50.4% receive a Pell Grant and % carry federal loans. Filing FAFSA early and naming IVC on it improves your shot at both.
How much does a IVC Graduate earn?
Ten years out from enrollment, IVC graduates report a median income of $34,487, somewhat below the U.S. median graduate income of $40,595.
Degree Programs at IVC
Associate Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About IVC Admissions
Imperial Valley College graduates earn a lower median salary of $34,487/year, especially outside technical fields.
Tuition at Imperial Valley College is relatively affordable, around $12,466/year.
50.4% of Imperial Valley College students receive a Pell Grant — need-based aid you don't repay. File your FAFSA early and list Imperial Valley College as a choice for the best shot at maximum aid.
Imperial Valley College follows Rolling Admissions — applications are reviewed year-round, so applying early is your best strategy.
Transferring in is a well-trodden path here. Line up your transcripts, recommendations, and a strong personal statement before applying.
The biggest levers are academic performance, a clear extracurricular focus, and essays that stand out — plus a solid test score where the school considers one.
Explore Other Options
Acceptance Rate of all California Colleges
Average SAT Score of California Colleges
Average ACT Score
Admissions deadlines of Colleges in California
Bachelor Programs in California
Test Optional Colleges in California
SAT Score Wise Best Colleges
ACT Score Wise Best Colleges
Rolling Admissions Colleges in California