Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Bakersfield College
Associate's Degree
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
Earnings trajectories vary significantly. Some programs show strong early returns that plateau; others start lower but accelerate. Consider where you want to be at year 4, not just year 1.
Compare to Similar Programs in California
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities associates's programs at peer institutions in California (133 total in state)
| School | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bakersfield College | — | $32,328 | — | — |
| National University | $41,545 | $46,351 | $10,008 | 0.24 |
| Santiago Canyon College | $37,149 | $43,051 | $5,500 | 0.15 |
| Diablo Valley College | $35,813 | — | $10,853 | 0.30 |
| Los Medanos College | $35,283 | $37,818 | $9,500 | 0.27 |
| Los Angeles Southwest College | $32,770 | $34,169 | $13,870 | 0.42 |
| National Median | $27,248 | — | $10,950 | 0.40 |
Other Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities Programs in California
Compare tuition, earnings, and debt across California schools
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| National University San Diego | $13,320 | $41,545 | $10,008 |
| Santiago Canyon College Orange | $1,164 | $37,149 | $5,500 |
| Diablo Valley College Pleasant Hill | $1,312 | $35,813 | $10,853 |
| Los Medanos College Pittsburg | $1,312 | $35,283 | $9,500 |
| Los Angeles Southwest College Los Angeles | $1,238 | $32,770 | $13,870 |
About This Data
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard (October 2025 release)
Population: Graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans). At Bakersfield College, approximately 29% of students receive Pell grants. Students who did not receive federal aid are not included in these figures.
Earnings: Median earnings from IRS W-2 data for graduates who are employed and not enrolled in further education, measured 1 year after completion. Earnings are pre-tax and include wages, salaries, and self-employment income.
Debt: Median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. Does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans borrowed on behalf of students.