Ridge Career Center Adult Education
General Information
Overview
Ridge Career Center Adult Education is a vocational-technical adult education institution designed to provide job-ready training and skills for adult learners seeking entry into or advancement within technical, trade, health and service industries. The institution emphasizes short-term certificate and diploma programs, flexible scheduling (including evenings), and real-world hands-on instruction so that students may transition directly into employment or upgrade their credentials. With programs focused on fields such as cosmetology, esthetics, automotive mechanics, welding, and HVAC, Ridge Career Center Adult Education offers a practical pathway for adult learners who may be changing careers, upskilling, or seeking licensure or specialized credentials.
Although it is smaller in scale than traditional four-year universities, the institution offers a focused environment where adult learners, many of whom may be balancing work, family and education, can benefit from targeted instruction, industry-certification preparation and career-services connection. The adult-education orientation means that the student-body tends to be older, motivated by career outcomes, and the programming is designed accordingly — emphasizing applied learning, workplace readiness, and swift entry into the workforce.
Contact Informations
Address: 7700 State Road 544, Winter Haven, FL 33881 (as per public profile data) Niche+2Vikipedi+2
Phone Number: (No specific phone number publicly listed in the accessible profile; prospective students are encouraged to contact the institution’s admissions or adult-education office via the reported site)
Email Address: Not publicly listed in the summary data; interested applicants should reach out through the institution’s admissions/registration portal or inquire for the adult education office contact.
School Facts (Founding Year, Motto, etc.)
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Founding Year | 1978 (planning began circa 1974; campus construction finished late 1978 and classes consolidated January 1979) Vikipedi+2Niche+2 |
| Motto | [Not publicly listed] |
| Institutional Type | Public vocational/technical adult education institution |
| Location | Winter Haven, Florida, United States |
| Student-Faculty Ratio | Approximately 20:1 (per one dataset citing 560 students and 84 faculty) Vikipedi+1 |
| Accreditation | Accredited by relevant vocational/occupational education accrediting bodies (specific programs approved by state agencies) Vikipedi+1 |
Ridge Career Center Adult Education Rankings (Country and Global)
| Ranking Category | Rank / Position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Acceptance Rate | 100% (per one profile dataset) Niche+1 |
| Global Ranking | Not reported / Not applicable (specialized institution) |
Ridge Career Center Adult Education Academics
Ridge Career Center Adult Education Faculties / Departments
- Health Professions (e.g., Licensed Practical Nursing, Medical Assistant)
- Trades & Technical Services (e.g., Automotive Mechanics, Welding, HVAC)
- Beauty & Personal Service (e.g., Cosmetology, Esthetics, Nail Technician)
- Transportation & Commercial Vehicle Operations
- Business Support & Technology Fundamentals
Ridge Career Center Adult Education Courses and Programs / Majors
- Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) Training Certificate
- Cosmetology Certificate
- Esthetician & Skin Care Certificate
- Automotive Mechanics Certificate
- Welding Certificate
- Truck, Bus & Commercial Vehicle Operation Certificate
- HVAC & Refrigeration Engineering Technician Certificate
- Nail Technician Certificate
Online Learning
According to available data, Ridge Career Center Adult Education does not appear to offer online certificate programs or major fully online programs; the focus remains on in-person hands-on instruction. Niche+1
Average Test Scores (SAT, ACT, GRE, etc.)
| Test | Range / Data |
|---|---|
| SAT | Not publicly reported |
| ACT | Not publicly reported |
| GRE | Not applicable |
Retention and Graduation Rates
Available profile data indicates a graduation rate of approximately 95% for the institution’s students. Niche While formal retention rate figures are not clearly publicized, the high graduation rate suggests that learners who begin programs tend to complete them. Additionally, employment outcomes one year after graduation are cited at about 96%. Niche
Ridge Career Center Adult Education Admissions
GPA Range and SAT / ACT Range
As a vocational adult education institution with open admission policy, Ridge Career Center Adult Education does not publish minimum GPA or SAT/ACT score-ranges as part of standard admission criteria. The admissions process is more focused on program readiness, application materials and adult learner fit rather than standardized test performance.
Ridge Career Center Adult Education Acceptance Rate
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Acceptance Rate | Approximately 100% Niche+1 |
Ridge Career Center Adult Education Application Requirements
Prospective adult learners interested in enrolling at Ridge Career Center Adult Education must complete an application for admission, typically attend an information session or orientation, submit proof of high school graduation or equivalent (GED), and meet any program-specific prerequisites (for example health clearance for LPN programs or a driver’s license for commercial vehicle operation). Applicants should also engage with the financial aid or tuition assistance office as needed. The institution expects adult learners to commit to the vocational schedule and may require placement assessment or advisor interview to ensure program fit.
Application Process
- Submit completed admissions application form to adult education office
- Attend orientation or information session for chosen program
- Provide verification of high school diploma or GED equivalency
- Meet with an advisor to review program outline, scheduling, tuition and funding options
- Finalize enrollment and program start date
Ridge Career Center Adult Education Application Deadlines / Important Dates
| Deadline Type | Detail |
|---|---|
| Rolling Admissions | The institution admits adult education learners on a continuous basis for multiple program start dates Niche |
| Program-Start Dates | Vary by program (day and evening schedules may be offered) |
Essay Prompt (if applicable)
There is no publicly reported standard essay prompt for admission into Ridge Career Center Adult Education adult-certificate programs. The focus remains on application, orientation and readiness rather than traditional college essay submission.
Ridge Career Center Adult Education Scholarships
The institution provides financial aid services and may offer tuition assistance, grants, scholarships, or payment plans for eligible adult learners. Students are encouraged to meet with the financial aid or adult education services office to explore options including federal aid, state grants, workforce development funds, or employer-sponsored training support.
Tuition Fee (Costs)
| Cost Category | Estimate |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (after aid) | Approximately US $23,365 per year (per one dataset) Niche+1 |
| In-State Tuition Estimate | Approximately US $3,918 per year (reported) Niche |
| Out-of-State Tuition Estimate | Approximately US $10,398 per year (reported) Niche |
Student Profile and Demographics
Student Demographics (Gender, Age, Race/Ethnicity)
According to publicly available data, the student population in 2023 for Ridge Career Center adult education included approximately 45% of learners aged over 25. Niche+1 The institution serves adult learners from diverse racial and ethnic backgrounds, though precise gender, age breakdowns beyond the adult learner classification and race/ethnicity specifics are not comprehensively reported.
Low-Income Students / Students with Disabilities
Approximately 70% of students receive federal Pell Grants, indicating a significant proportion of learners from low-income backgrounds. Niche+1 Data specific to students with disabilities is not publicly detailed in the summary profile.
Student Body (Total Students, International Students, etc.)
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Total Undergraduate/Certificate Students | ~375 (325 full-time + 50 part-time) Niche+1 |
| International Students | Not separately reported or publicly available |
University Diversity
Ridge Career Center Adult Education embraces a diverse adult-learner community, drawing individuals from a wide range of backgrounds who are motivated to gain practical, career-relevant credentials. A large portion of the student population receives federal Pell Grant assistance, highlighting its role in providing education access for lower-income adults. With adult learners often balancing work, family and education obligations, the institution prioritizes flexibility, support services and inclusive programming. While there is limited published breakdown by race or ethnicity, the relatively high participation of Pell-eligible students and adult learners suggests a inclusive environment designed to accommodate a broad spectrum of socio-economic backgrounds. The adult education orientation means that diversity is present not only in terms of demographic characteristics, but also in terms of life experience, career stage, goal orientation and learning pathways.
Average Earnings
Adult learners completing certificate programs at Ridge Career Center Adult Education enter workforce roles in sectors such as cosmetology, health services, trades, automotive mechanics, welding and HVAC. The dataset reports median earnings approximately US $30,350 five years after graduation for the institution. Niche This indicates a tangible return on investment for many students, particularly when their tuition costs are managed through aid and targeted vocational pathways. The institution’s high graduation rate (95%) and strong employment outcomes one year post-graduation (96%) suggest that graduates generally achieve positive employment placement. Given that adult learners often upskill or change careers, these earnings metrics reflect the institution’s emphasis on workforce-alignment and the shift to higher-income opportunities through vocational credentials.
Ridge Career Center Adult Education Faculty and Staff
Teachers and Staff
Faculty and staff at Ridge Career Center Adult Education consist of instructors with relevant industry credentials and vocational education backgrounds, supported by adult-education services personnel, career advisors, and student support teams. The school’s reported faculty size of 84 (Instruction, research, professional and administrative combined) for a student body of 560 (or similar scale) gives a student-faculty ratio of about 20:1. Vikipedi+1 This ratio supports the delivery of hands-on, applied instruction typical of vocational programs, where instructor supervision of labs and practical sessions is essential.
Faculty Profiles (Expertise, Achievements)
While individual faculty-profile detail is limited in publicly available summary data, the institution’s strong graduation and employment outcomes indicate that instructors bring current industry knowledge, certification preparation expertise and vocational training experience. The institution’s wide range of trade, health and personal-service programs suggests faculty expertise spans areas such as welding and fabrication, HVAC systems, automotive mechanics, cosmetology, esthetics, nail technology, and health-care support services — ensuring that program content remains aligned with workforce needs and credentialing/licensing requirements.
Ridge Career Center Adult Education Campus and Student Life
Campus Life / Housing
As a vocational adult education institution oriented toward certificate and short-term credential programs, Ridge Career Center Adult Education does not typically emphasize on-campus student housing or residential life. Students are primarily commuting adults, many balancing work or family commitments; thus the institution focuses on access, scheduling flexibility, adult-learner support and applied labs rather than traditional campus housing or dormitories. As such, housing options, costs and campus residence are not a prominent feature of the student-life environment. Student life is more oriented around practical skills labs, employment readiness, and adult-friendly scheduling (including evenings) than on-campus extracurricular activities, dorm communities or traditional university social life.
Transportation
Located at 7700 State Road 544 in Winter Haven, Florida, the institution sits in a suburban location that is accessible to commuting adult students. While public-transport details are not extensively published, the suburban-campus setting typically means students rely on personal vehicles or regional transit where available; parking and ease of access are likely supportive given the commuter-oriented population. On-campus mobility focuses on access to labs, classrooms and support services rather than residential campus navigation. Since the learner demographic includes working adults, scheduling and proximity to transportation routes are key factors; the institution’s scheduling flexibility (day and evening sessions) and applied-lab structure suggest that transportation logistics have been configured to accommodate adult-learners with busy lives.