What Verdica's 757 score means for Contra Costa College
Contra Costa College's composite score of 757 out of 850 places it in the "strong" band (740–799), indicating solid regulatory standing and operational compliance. This score reflects aggregated data from accreditation status, Title IV federal aid compliance, and institutional performance metrics collected by the U.S. Department of Education.
A score in the strong range signals that the institution meets baseline regulatory requirements and demonstrates reasonably consistent performance across measured dimensions. However, it is not in the "excellent" tier (800–850), which means there are areas where the college either faces measurable challenges or has room for improvement relative to peer institutions.
For someone considering engagement with Contra Costa College—whether as a prospective student, employer, or partner—a 757 score indicates acceptable risk. The institution is not flagged as high-risk or elevated-risk, but the gap between its Compliance sub-score (835) and Student Outcomes sub-score (630) warrants attention and conversation before making major commitments.
How the sub-scores break down
Accreditation (820/850): This sub-score reflects the institution's accreditation status and related standing with its regional or national accrediting body. A score of 820 is strong and suggests the college maintains recognized accreditation with minimal or no sanctions. Accreditation is the baseline requirement for institutional legitimacy; a score this high indicates no current warnings, probation, or show-cause orders from the accrediting agency.
Student Outcomes (630/850): This sub-score is based on IPEDS data including graduation rates, retention rates, employment outcomes, and earnings data for graduates. At 630, this score falls in the "elevated" band and is the primary factor pulling down the composite score. In the education industry, lower student outcomes scores typically reflect lower graduation or retention rates, weaker post-graduation employment placement, or modest earnings trajectories for alumni. This does not mean outcomes are poor in absolute terms, but rather that they are below the strong threshold relative to comparable institutions.
Compliance (835/850): This sub-score reflects Title IV federal aid program compliance and other regulatory adherence measures tracked by the U.S. Department of Education and California state regulators. A score of 835 is excellent and indicates the college has maintained strong compliance with federal aid regulations, financial reporting requirements, and state licensing or operational standards. No material violations or unresolved compliance matters appear to be on file.
What regulators in CA track for education providers
California education providers are overseen by multiple agencies: the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) handles regional accreditation, while the U.S. Department of Education enforces Title IV federal aid program rules. The California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office also monitors operational and financial health.
Title IV compliance tracking includes adherence to rules around student loan servicing, financial aid disbursement, enrollment reporting, and cohort default rates on federal loans. Violations can include improper aid calculations, failure to verify student eligibility, or defaulting loan cohorts above federal thresholds. IPEDS data—the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System—collects standardized metrics on graduation rates, retention, student demographics, and employment outcomes, which form the basis of public accountability reporting.
A college's compliance score can decline due to unresolved Title IV program violations, failure to repay excess federal aid, or state licensing sanctions. A high compliance score indicates clean audit findings and timely regulatory submissions. Student outcomes scores are driven by actual graduation and retention data, which regulators publish so prospective students and policymakers can assess institutional effectiveness.
Bottom line
Contra Costa College is a strong provider with solid compliance and accreditation standing, but prospective students and partners should investigate why student outcomes (630) lag behind its compliance and accreditation scores. Before enrolling or forming partnerships, cross-check recent graduation and retention rates, employment outcomes for your program of interest, and any program-specific performance data available through the California Community Colleges system.