Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Cabrillo College
Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma
cabrillo.eduAnalysis
Cabrillo College's Liberal Arts certificate starts slow but gains significant momentum—graduates earn $27,154 initially but see earnings jump 40% to $38,002 by year four, one of the stronger growth trajectories in this program category. The relatively low debt load of $7,412 means graduates enter with manageable obligations while their earning power is still building.
However, there's a state-level context worth noting: this program ranks in just the 40th percentile among California's 111 liberal arts certificate programs, meaning 60% of comparable programs in the state produce higher initial earnings. The gap is real—top California community colleges like East LA and San Diego Mesa see their graduates earning $33,000+ right away. That said, Cabrillo's strong earnings growth suggests graduates may be catching up over time, and the debt burden here is actually lower than the state median.
The bottom line: this certificate functions more as a stepping stone than an immediate earnings accelerator. If your child plans to continue their education or is willing to work their way up over several years, the combination of low debt and solid growth makes this reasonable. But if they need stronger earnings immediately after graduation, other California community colleges deliver more out of the gate.
Where Cabrillo College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all liberal arts and sciences, general studies and humanities certificate's programs nationally
Earnings Distribution
How Cabrillo College graduates compare to all programs nationally
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
| School | 1 Year | 4 Years | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cabrillo College | $27,154 | $38,002 | +40% |
| San Diego Miramar College | $31,804 | $43,527 | +37% |
| Santiago Canyon College | $31,050 | $42,978 | +38% |
| East Los Angeles College | $33,628 | $41,868 | +25% |
| Modesto Junior College | $25,984 | $40,541 | +56% |
Compare to Similar Programs in California
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities certificate's programs at peer institutions in California (111 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Cabrillo CollegeAptos | $1,270 | $27,154 | $38,002 | $7,412 | 0.27 |
 East Los Angeles CollegeMonterey Park | $1,238 | $33,628 | $41,868 | $5,701 | 0.17 |
 San Diego Mesa CollegeSan Diego | $1,150 | $33,015 | $35,843 | $6,125 | 0.19 |
 San Diego City CollegeSan Diego | $1,150 | $32,438 | $37,781 | $7,935 | 0.24 |
 San Diego Miramar CollegeSan Diego | $1,150 | $31,804 | $43,527 | $6,500 | 0.20 |
 Santiago Canyon CollegeOrange | $1,164 | $31,050 | $42,978 | $5,500 | 0.18 |
| National Median | — | $27,024 | — | $9,375 | 0.35 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with liberal arts and sciences, general studies and humanities graduates
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 Cabrillo College, approximately 22% 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.