Rio Hondo College (RHC), located in Southeast Los Angeles County near the intersection of the 60 and 605 freeways, enrolls over 20,000 students each semester. Rio Hondo College is fully accredited by the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. The college serves students from a variety of educational backgrounds, including recent high school graduates, people seeking new skills or careers, and lifelong learners wanting to add to their knowledge base.

Rio Hondo educational programs prepare students for transfer to four-year colleges and universities, grant two-year degrees in a number of specialties, issue certificates in technical or professional fields, provide contract training for employer workforces, and offer community service classes in subjects ranging from computer skills to cultural event fieldtrips. The college graduates close to 600 students every year, awarding two-year, Associate of Arts/Sciences degrees and nearly 500 specialty certificates.

The college serves the cities of  Whittier, Pico Rivera, Santa Fe Springs, El Monte, and South El Monte, as well as portions of Downey, La Mirada, La Puente, Industry, and some unincorporated portions of Los Angeles County. There are over 318,000 people residing in nearly 107,000 households served by the college.  The diverse Rio Hondo College student population averages about 68% Hispanic, 12% Asian, 10% White Non-Hispanic, 2% Black, and 8% other or undeclared ethnicities.

The college awards degrees in over 40 disciplines and certificates in close to 30 subjects. The college’s Administration of Justice Program is the largest college-based program in the State of California and trains police officers for some 40 jurisdictions. In addition, RHC’s Fire Technology, Nursing, Environmental Technology, Emergency Medical Technician,  Welding, Drafting, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and Automotive Technology Programs, among other vocational offerings, are top programs in the region. Classes are held in the day, evening and weekend as well as online through Rio Hondo's Virtual College.