ATA College

What ATA College does

ATA College is a privately held vocational and career training institution founded in 1996 and headquartered in a single campus at 1810 Gillespie Way, Suite 104, El Cajon, California, serving San Diego County. It delivers diploma and associate degree programs spanning healthcare (Medical Assistant, CNA, Health Information Technician, EKG Technician), technology (Software Development, Fiber Optics), criminal justice (Criminal Justice & Public Safety), and skilled trades (HVAC Technician II), with program lengths ranging from approximately 7 weeks (CNA) to 8-10 months for diplomas and an additional ~6 months for associate degree completion. Instruction combines classroom delivery with hands-on lab work using industry equipment and externship placements, with selected programs offering online or hybrid components.

The business model is a direct-to-consumer education service monetized through tuition and fees paid by individual students, supplemented by federal student aid, private financing, and veterans education benefits (Chapter 33 Post-9/11 GI Bill and Chapter 31 Vocational Rehabilitation) for qualifying enrollees. Pricing is not publicly disclosed and there is no published tuition schedule on the main website. Marketing is conducted via the institutional website, content marketing through blog articles on career topics, organic search, campus tours, and direct enrollment call-to-action flows. Revenue, headcount, and enrollment metrics are not publicly disclosed.

ATA College holds national accreditation from the Council on Occupational Education (COE) since 2000, recognition from the U.S. Department of Education for federal student aid, USDVA approval for veterans benefits, and California BPPE approval for private postsecondary operation. It maintains compliance with the Veterans Benefits and Transition Act of 2018. In 2026, it established an Educational Alliance with Grand Canyon University to provide transfer pathways for associate degree graduates. The institution is led by Henry Marentes as President and CEO and operates as an independent, standalone educational entity with no disclosed parent company, private equity, or venture capital ownership.

Name

ATA College

Legal name

ATA College

Website

https://atacollege.edu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Short description

ATA College is a privately held vocational training institution founded in 1996 and based in El Cajon, California, serving San Diego County with COE-accredited diploma and associate degree programs in healthcare, technology, criminal justice, and HVAC, delivered on-campus with select hybrid options.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Vocational Education and Career Training

NAICS

Technical and Trade Schools (6115), Other Technical and Trade Schools (611519), Junior Colleges (611210)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Technical Community Colleges (Applied/CTE-Focused) (EDAHADAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Polytechnic & Applied Sciences Universities (EDAHAEAB), College & Career Transition Services (Bridge Programs, Dual Enrollment Pathways) (EDAAABAK)

Keywords

• Vocational training programs
• Career college education
• Healthcare training programs
• Skilled trades education
• Associate degree programs

Headquarters

HQ city

El Cajon

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Fee Revenue: ATA College generates revenue through tuition and fees for diploma and associate degree programs. Financial Aid is available for qualifying students. The college serves individuals seeking career-focused vocational training leading to entry-level positions in specialized fields.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

ATA College is a private vocational and career training institution that delivers diploma and associate degree programs in healthcare (Medical Assistant, Certified Nursing Assistant, Health Information Technician, EKG Technician), technology (Software Development and Programming, Fiber Optics for Professionals), criminal justice, and skilled trades (HVAC Technician II). Programs run approximately 8–10 months for diplomas with an additional ~6 months for associate degrees, and combine classroom instruction, hands-on lab work with industry-equivalent equipment, and externship placements.

Product overview

ATA College is a vocational and career training institution offering diploma and associate degree programs across healthcare, technology, and criminal justice fields. The portfolio consists of eight distinct program categories: Certified Nursing Assistant, Medical Assistant (diploma and AAS), Health Information Technician (diploma and AAS), EKG Technician, HVAC Technician II, Fiber Optics for Professionals, Software Development and Programming, and Criminal Justice & Public Safety (diploma and AS). Programs range from 7-week certifications to 8-10 month diplomas and additional 6-month associate degree completions. The institution serves San Diego County from its El Cajon, California campus and has been operating since 1996.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) Entry-level healthcare program preparing students to provide basic daily patient care under nursing staff supervision in hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, and physician offices. Covers bathing, dressing, meal assistance, vital signs measurement, and patient condition reporting. Designed for individuals seeking quick entry into the nursing workforce.
• Medical Assistant Diploma Healthcare program teaching administrative and clinical skills for both back- and front-office settings in physician offices and medical facilities. Covers anatomy, physiology, medical terminology, pharmacology, and laboratory procedures. Designed for individuals pursuing entry-level medical assisting roles.
• Medical Assistant Associate of Applied Science (AAS) Associate of Applied Science degree in Medical Assisting that builds on the diploma program with general education courses and advanced training in electrocardiography and phlebotomy. Targeted at students seeking expanded credentials and career opportunities in medical assisting.
• Health Information Technician Diploma Healthcare program training students to classify systems, code and categorize patient information for insurance reimbursement, manage databases and registries, and maintain patient medical histories. Covers ICD-10-CM coding, medical terminology, and electronic health records.
• Health Information Technician Associate of Applied Science (AAS) Associate of Applied Science in Health Information Technology with advanced coding and billing courses, general education, and certification preparation through the National Center for Competency Testing. Designed for students seeking expanded credentials in health information management.
• Electrocardiogram (EKG) Technician Healthcare program training students to administer EKG diagnostic examinations and report results to treatment teams. Covers anatomy, physiology, patient care, medical terminology, equipment use, cardiac rhythm interpretation, and patient record management.
• HVAC Technician II Trade program preparing students for entry-level positions as Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers through classroom knowledge and hands-on technical skills. Includes EPA 608 Universal Certification preparation.
• Fiber Optics for Professionals Technology certification program preparing students to be competent in fiber optics technology through classroom training and practical hands-on application for careers in telecommunications.
• Software Development and Programming AAT Technology program teaching web development with HTML5, CSS3, JavaScript, and XML, and programming languages including JAVA, C#/C++, and VB.NET for careers in software development.
• Criminal Justice and Public Safety Diploma Criminal justice program preparing students for entry-level positions in state, local, and federal law enforcement, corrections, or private security. Covers the U.S. Constitution, court systems, federal and California state laws, and report writing.
• Associate of Science in Criminal Justice Associate degree program in Criminal Justice building on the diploma with an additional six months of education and general education courses for expanded career opportunities in law enforcement, corrections, or private security.

Quantifiable outcome

• Programs can be completed in as little as 8 months for diplomas (Medical Assistant, Health Information Technician), 9 months (Software Developer, Criminal Justice), 10 months (HVAC Technician)
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• Council on Occupational Education (COE)coreOthers · 1 January 2000ATA College has been nationally accredited by the Council on Occupational Education (COE) since 2000. COE accreditation signifies the school meets quality standards for occupational education institutions.
• Grand Canyon University (GCU)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerATA College joined an Educational Alliance with Grand Canyon University for students successfully completing associate degree programs. This partnership allows students to transfer credits or continue their education toward a bachelor's degree.
• U.S. Department of Education (USDE)coreOthersATA College is approved by the U.S. Department of Education for federal student aid purposes.
• U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (USDVA)coreOthersATA College is approved by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs for veterans education benefits, including Chapter 33 (Post-9/11 GI Bill) and Chapter 31 (Vocational Rehabilitation).
• Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE)coreOthersATA College is approved by the Bureau for Private Postsecondary Education, the California state regulatory agency for private postsecondary institutions.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• ECPI University: ECPI University is a private career-focused institution offering accelerated associate, bachelor's, and diploma programs in healthcare, technology, and skilled trades. Directly comparable to ATA's accelerated 8-10 month format and program mix.
• UEI College: UEI College is a private vocational school with multiple California campuses offering diploma programs in healthcare, trades, and business. Competes directly with ATA across similar program categories and geographic footprint in Southern California.
• Pima Medical Institute: National for-profit career college specializing in healthcare and medical career training, offering certificate, diploma, and associate degree programs. Closely comparable to ATA's CNA, Medical Assistant, Health Information Technician, and EKG programs.
• San Joaquin Valley College: California-based private career college offering associate degrees, diplomas, and certificates across healthcare, trades, and business. Direct competitor to ATA with comparable accelerated program formats and similar student demographics.
• National Career College: National Career College is a California-based private career college offering healthcare and trades programs with diploma and associate degree pathways. Closely comparable to ATA in scale, geographic focus, and program offering.
• Carrington College: Carrington College is a private for-profit institution with multiple California campuses offering healthcare-focused diploma and associate degree programs. Highly comparable to ATA's medical assistant, nursing, and health information programs.
• Concorde Career Colleges: Concorde Career Colleges operates a network of private career colleges offering diploma and associate degree programs with a strong focus on healthcare careers. Direct competitor to ATA's healthcare-heavy program mix in California.
• Milan Institute: Milan Institute operates multiple California campuses offering vocational and career training programs in healthcare, trades, and cosmetology. Direct competitor to ATA's healthcare and HVAC programs within California.

Broad incumbents

• San Diego Community College District: San Diego Community College District is the public, lower-cost alternative for vocational training in ATA's primary market. San Diego Mesa, City, and Miramar colleges offer comparable healthcare, IT, and trades programs at lower tuition, making them the dominant incumbent competitor in the region.

Emerging players

• Grand Canyon University: GCU is an existing Educational Alliance partner of ATA College for transfer pathways. Indirectly comparable as a four-year institution that ATA graduates can articulate into, and a broader reference point for college transfer competitive dynamics.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat2 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about ATA College