Health and Physical Education/Fitness at Cabrillo College

Cabrillo College's Health and Physical Education certificate punches well above its weight class, delivering first-year earnings of $38,985—61% higher than what typical graduates earn nationally from similar programs. That's nearly $10,000 more than what health and fitness certificate holders make across the country, and about $6,000 above California's state median. Even more impressive: this outperformance comes with essentially average debt of $8,864, resulting in a debt-to-earnings ratio of just 0.23 (meaning graduates could theoretically pay off their loans with less than three months of gross income).

The 60th percentile ranking within California is actually notable context here. While it places Cabrillo in the middle of the pack statewide, remember that California programs generally outperform national averages—so being middle-tier in California still means crushing most programs nationwide. The moderate sample size (30-100 graduates) provides reasonable confidence in these outcomes without the volatility you'd see with tiny cohorts.

For parents weighing community college certificate programs, this represents exactly what you hope to find: minimal debt, quick completion, and earnings that immediately justify the investment. The combination of low cost and strong placement makes this a solid launching point for fitness, recreation, or wellness careers in the Santa Cruz area and beyond.