MJC History

  • Campus Detail: Two main campuses (East-58.3 acres and West 167.1 acres) that contain 6 large scale agricultural units, 7 (agriculture student) housing units, 74 buildings, 370 rooms including 15 athletic areas, 104 classrooms, 36 common use areas, 21 computer labs, 12 conference rooms, 99 lab classrooms, 16 lectures halls and 10 performance rooms, Beckwith Ranch a 62 acre Instructional Laboratory; and one planned satellite campus, Patterson CA-4 acres, and undeveloped land in Grayson CA-18 acres.
  • MJC Student Success Scorecard contains an overview of student demographics, degree attainment and transfer data, and other measurements of student success.
  • Year MJC was Founded: 1921
  • Average Class Size: 33
  • Full-time Faculty: Approximately 222
  • Part-time Faculty: Approximately 151
  • Number of Students: *19,262
  • Associate Degree Programs: 82
  • Certificate Programs: 54
  • Skills Recognition Awards:  19
  • Now available: BS in Respiratory Care
  • Transfer Rate: Approximately 1,500 students annually
  • Special Facilities: A Performing Arts and Media Center, an Agricultural Center for Education (ACE Pavilion), and a Science Community Center that contains a planetarium, an observatory, and the Great Valley Museum.
  • Community Resources: Gallo Center for the Arts, Modesto City Facilities; Patterson City Schools, 56 Hospitals and Clinics distributed among 6 counties within the Central Valley, Mother Lode, Bay Area and Far North regions.
  • Community Education: Not-for-credit year-round classes for adults and children, day and extended trips, career training programs, and summer camps for kids.
  • Athletics: Baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, softball, soccer, swimming and diving, tennis, track and field, volleyball, water polo and wrestling.
  • Popular Academic Programs: Transfer Studies, Nursing, Business Administration, Social and Behavioral Sciences, Child Development, Administration of Justice, Athletic Training/Sports Medicine, Medical Assisting, Art, and Natural Sciences.
  • Popular Awards: Biological and Physical Sciences (and Mathematics), Child Development/Early Care and Education, Registered Nursing, Business Administration Social Sciences, Liberal Arts and Sciences, Transfer Studies, Administration of Justice, Agriculture Business, Sales and Service, Fire Technology, and Human Services.
  • Notable College Activities: Performing Arts, Forensics, Dairy Judging and 27 Clubs

History of MJC

Morris Memorial BuildingModesto Junior College, one of the oldest community colleges in the state, was organized in 1921 to serve the first junior college district established under a State Legislature Enabling Act. Modesto Junior College was established to meet the needs of the community. Today the college strives to maintain the same objective—that of dedication and service to the community.

The College began with a charter enrollment of 61 students. Through the years registration has increased until today more than 18,000 day and evening students are enrolled each semester.

In addition, more than 8,000 community participants take advantage of the ever-growing Community Education program.

To complement student growth, the campus has grown as well. The college holds the distinction of having erected the first junior college classroom building in the state. From this modest beginning, MJC has grown until it now provides an outstanding learning environment on two sites: the original MJC-East on College Avenue and MJC-West on Blue Gum Avenue in northwest Modesto. In addition to the two sites, more than 20 community sites are used to meet particular educational needs.

The area boundaries have also changed. In 1964, by action of the electorate, the boundaries were enlarged to include nearly 4,000 square miles, encompassing high school districts in Stanislaus and Tuolumne Counties, the Ripon High School District in San Joaquin County, the Gustine and Hilmar High School Districts in Merced County and the Harney Elementary School District in Santa Clara County. The district also includes the Bret Harte Union High School District, the former Copperopolis Elementary School District and the former Salt Spring Valley Elementary School District in Calaveras County.

A Board of Trustees was elected in 1964 to govern the affairs of the expanded district.

In 1965 the name Yosemite Junior College District was selected. It was later changed to Yosemite Community College District. The Yosemite Community College District also includes Columbia College, located in Columbia, California.

Sources: YCCD/Research and Planning/Academic Programs Report, Academic Programs, Graduation Report, Custom Units, Student Demographic Detail, Section Enrollment Extract; MJC Community Education, Facilities, Public Relations; and the National Student Clearinghouse. 

* Incudes Community Education Numbers.