In the heart of the Central Coast, a powerful legacy in career education continues to evolve.
While San Joaquin Valley College (SJVC) has long been a trusted name in the community, its sister school, Carrington College, is making its Santa Maria debut this spring as part of a new alignment between the two institutions.
Carrington College, a respected name in healthcare training for over 50 years, is now
officially the dedicated campus in Santa Maria, marking a new chapter in its mission to prepare the next generation of nurses and allied health professionals.
This alignment builds on the shared history of Carrington College and San Joaquin Valley College (SJVC), two institutions brought together under the Perry family and San Joaquin Valley College, Inc.
In 2018, the Perry family—founders of SJVC—acquired Carrington College, uniting their commitment to hands-on, career-focused education. While SJVC has its roots in Medical Assisting, the college has carved out its place as a leader in trades education.
As a result, SJVC will now focus on trade, technical, and business programs, while Carrington College will focus on programs in nursing and allied health, which includes
the Santa Maria campus.
Today, this alignment allows each college to focus on its respective strengths. SJVC continues to offer programs in business and skilled trades, while Carrington College sharpens its focus on healthcare and nursing education.
As part of this, the Santa Maria campus will now operate under Carrington College, offering healthcare-focused programs in a modern, career-focused environment.
The key to Carrington College’s presence in Santa Maria is its School of Nursing, which brings more than two decades of educational experience, and since 2000 has prepared more than 12,400 graduates for the nursing field.
The Vocational Nursing program is offered as both a Certificate of Achievement and an Associate Degree, and equips students with the knowledge and clinical skills needed to provide safe, patient-centered care across a variety of settings, including hospitals, clinics, and long-term care facilities.
Graduates of the certificate program are academically prepared to take the NCLEX-PN examination and begin their careers as Licensed Vocational Nurses (LVNs)1. The associate degree option builds on this foundation, emphasizing leadership, critical thinking, collaboration, and the ability to deliver holistic nursing care.
Both tracks include extensive hands-on training in simulated clinical environments designed to reflect real-world healthcare settings. The Carrington College Santa Maria campus features specialized skills labs with gurneys, mid-fidelity mannequins, and a simulation room that replicates hospital conditions.
These spaces allow students to practice and refine their skills under the supervision of experienced nursing faculty, ensuring they graduate with confidence and competence.
The impact of these career-focused educational institutions also extends beyond the classroom.
According to the 2024 Impact Report, Carrington College and SJVC together awarded more than $4.7 million in financial assistance and scholarships, and participated in more than 160 community events, 1 Carrington College prepares students to take appropriate certification and licensure exams related to their individual majors.
The College does not guarantee students will successfully pass these exams or be certified or licensed as a result of completing the program. demonstrating a deep commitment to student success and community engagement.
Carrington College and SJVC continue to honor the Perry family’s original vision: to provide transformative, career-ready education that supports both individual success and regional workforce needs.
As Carrington College approaches its 60th anniversary in 2027—and SJVC nears its 50th—both institutions remain dedicated to their founding mission.
For Santa Maria and the greater Central Coast, the debut of Carrington College’s healthcare-focused campus means more than expanded access to training. It means a stronger, more resilient local healthcare system, and new hope for individuals ready to build a better future.
