Nearly 50 percent of all higher education students in the U.S. currently attend a community college.  As is the case with community colleges throughout California, Peralta’s four colleges have become the gateway to higher education for students of all ages.  Our student body includes many nontraditional students, meaning they are older (average age is 30) and juggling home, family and work responsibilities as they pursue their educational and career goals.  More than half of our students are women.