Los Angeles Harbor College — Admission Snapshot 2026
A complete at-a-glance picture of every metric that matters for your 2026 application
Los Angeles Harbor College in Wilmington serves the South Bay region with comprehensive academic and career programs. Established in 1949, the 65-acre campus features panoramic views of the Port of Los Angeles and modern facilities including the Health and Sciences Building. The college excels in maritime studies, nursing, and fire technology programs, benefiting from its unique coastal location and industry partnerships.
Harbor College's 'Maritime Training Center' prepares students for port-related careers, while its 'Fire Technology Academy' includes a live-fire training facility. The college's 'Promise Program' provides free tuition for first-time students, and its 'Veterans Resource Center' serves military-connected students. Harbor's 'College for Kids' program offers summer enrichment for youth, reflecting its deep community engagement.
Los Angeles Harbor College Acceptance Rate
Los Angeles Harbor College (Harbor College) maintains an inclusive admission policy. With an acceptance rate of 100%, the institution prioritizes accessibility and opportunity for all qualified students.
Admissions Guidelines
- Inclusive Enrollment: Emphasis is placed on meeting basic eligibility and high school completion.
- Launchpad Policy: Ideal for students looking to build a GPA for future transfer or career certification.
Selectivity at a Glance
Open Enrollment
If your GPA is slightly below the institutional average, you can remain competitive by scoring well on standardized tests and showcasing leadership in co-curricular activities.
Recommended Academic Profile
Data verified via IPEDS, College Scorecard (Nov 2025) and the Common Data Set (CDS). Expert Review led by Sohaib Khan and Dr. Waseem.
Los Angeles Harbor College Application Deadlines & Admission Dates 2026
Los Angeles Harbor College follows a Rolling Admissions policy, meaning applications are reviewed as they arrive and there is no single fixed deadline.
Key Admission Dates
Harbor College 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.
Harbor College GPA Requirement
The average GPA of admitted students at Harbor College is 2.5. Admission is less selective based on GPA.
Most admitted students have a mix of B's and C's. A strong SAT or ACT score will improve your chances.
Note: This is an unweighted GPA on a 4.0 scale. Students with AP or IB courses will typically have a weighted GPA of 2.70-2.90 for this same academic profile.Check Your Admission Chances at Harbor College
Admission Chance Predictor
Real-Time Sensitive Analysis — based on Los Angeles Harbor College's verified institutional data
Adjust the sliders to see how every decimal point affects your outcome.
⚠️ 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.
Los Angeles Harbor College (Harbor College) Test Requirements
In this competitive environment, standardized scores are no longer elective; they serve as a critical standardized benchmark to validate high school GPA and course rigor. Applicants should aim for scores within or above the middle 50% range of the 2026 admitted class to remain viable in the Holistic Review process. At institutions that remain test-optional, submitting a high-percentile score is still the primary strategy for securing merit-based scholarships and distinguishing one's profile in a high-volume applicant pool.
Can I Get Into Harbor College Without SAT or ACT?
Your 2026 Admissions Roadmap for Harbor College
Inclusive Strategy: Success & Transfer
Harbor College provides an open gateway to higher education. Success here is about utilizing resources and planning your long-term academic or career trajectory.
LAHC requires applicants to attend a nursing program information session with at least 85% attendance before they're even eligible to submit a nursing application - proof of attendance must be included with your application packet. Skipping or partially attending this session disqualifies your application before it's reviewed, regardless of your academic record.
Half of eligible nursing applicants are selected for a TEAS voucher through a multi-criteria process, and the other half through a random lottery - and only students who test using the LAHC voucher are eligible for TEAS remediation if they don't pass on the first attempt. If you have any control over it, pursue the multi-criteria route by strengthening your prerequisite GPA, since it gives you more agency than relying on the lottery alone.
LAHC sits directly adjacent to the Port of Los Angeles, and its Global Trade and Logistics pathway covers warehousing, distribution, and international sales - a curriculum genuinely shaped by the harbor economy surrounding the campus, not a generic business program. This is a concrete local-industry advantage worth naming explicitly if you're building a logistics or supply chain career.
Harbor Advantage organizes your first two years into a "Harbor Promise" year and a "Harbor Success" year, each with dedicated counseling and workshops tied to your stage of progress. Combine this with the LA College Promise, which covers free tuition for eligible students in their first year, to front-load your academic planning around these structured cohort touchpoints rather than navigating the college independently.
Applicants frequently assume that passing the TEAS exam is the finish line for nursing admission - it isn't. Even after clearing TEAS, if eligible applicants still exceed available seats, LAHC conducts a final random lottery to determine the incoming class. Treating TEAS as the only obstacle, rather than understanding the full multi-stage selection (info session attendance, voucher lottery or multi-criteria selection, TEAS, and potentially a final lottery), leads students to under-prepare for how much of the outcome is genuinely outside their academic control.
Harbor College Profile
Is a Harbor College Degree Worth It?
Getting into Harbor College can be a great opportunity for many students. It is a prestigious institution known for its strong programs. However, whether it is worth it depends on your personal and academic goals, as well as your financial situation. Harbor College offers a rigorous academic environment and access to cutting-edge research, but it may not be the best fit for everyone. It's important to consider factors such as cost, location, and specific academic programs when making this decision.
Please note that the average household income of the admitted students at Harbor College is $56,500 and the graduate unemployment rate is 5.05%.
How much does a degree from Harbor College Cost?
The average annual cost of the degree at Los Angeles Harbor College is $19,463. As most of the students receive Pell Grants and Federal Grants the average annual net price a student has to pay at Los Angeles Harbor College is $11,245.
22.8% of the students are receiving Pell Grant and 0.6 percent are receiving Federal Grants. So it is a better choice to go to Harbor College and apply for PELL or federal loan grants.
At Los Angeles Harbor College, you will have no problem receiving any scholarship from the federal government. Fill in the FAFSA application form at the earliest and enlist Harbor College as your choice in the form.
How much does a Harbor College Graduate earn?
The average annual salary of the graduate after 4–6 years of graduation is $41,133. An average Harbor College graduate makes this much after 10 years of enrollment (4–6 years after graduation).
The average annual income of a graduate in the United States is $40,595.
Degree Programs at Harbor College
Associate Degree Programs
Frequently Asked Questions About Harbor College Admissions
Graduates of this university typically earn a lower salary, $41,133 annually, especially in non-technical fields.
The tuition fee at this university is relatively low, around $19,463 per year, making it more affordable for many students.
22.8% of students receive a Pell Grant here, which is below the national average of around 35%. This institution serves a higher proportion of higher-income students. Merit-based scholarships may still be available regardless of financial need — check the official financial aid page of the institute for details.
The average GPA of admitted students is 2.5. This reflects the competitive academic profile expected from applicants.
While there is no single cutoff that guarantees a rejection, admission staff uses your GPA to determine if you are a best fit. If you have at least a 2.2, you are in the standard pool. If you are below a 2.2, we need to focus on your personal essay and letters of recommendation to explain the context behind your grades.
If your GPA is 2.1 or less, it may make admission difficult. However, your chances may improve if you have strong test scores, extracurricular activities, and essays. But this does not mean that you must not apply, or you do not have any chances. With additional AP courses, you can increase your chances even with this GPA.
While the average GPA of admitted students is 2.5, applicants with lower GPAs can still be considered if they have strong test scores, extracurriculars, and compelling personal essays that demonstrate resilience and potential.
Yes, many students successfully transfer each year. Be prepared with your academic transcripts, recommendation letters, and a solid personal statement to make your application competitive.
To improve your chances, focus on excelling academically, building a strong extracurricular profile, and submitting standout essays. High SAT/ACT scores are also crucial for competitive admissions.
