Business Operations Support and Assistant Services at CET-Coachella

CET-Coachella's business operations certificate manages to keep debt exceptionally low—graduating students owe just $5,894, less than a third of what peers typically carry. That matters in a program where first-year earnings start at $23,009, well below both the state median ($25,627) and the national benchmark ($25,094). Among California's 149 programs in this field, this one ranks at the 40th percentile for earnings, meaning more than half of comparable programs deliver stronger initial outcomes.

The earnings trajectory shows modest improvement, with graduates reaching $26,671 by year four—a 16% increase that at least moves in the right direction. However, even after four years, earnings remain below what many similar programs produce in year one. The top California programs in this field start graduates above $27,000, and some reach $34,000.

The minimal debt burden is this program's strongest selling point, particularly for a student body where 41% receive Pell grants. Your child would likely finish without the crushing payment obligations that plague many certificate holders. But the tradeoff is clear: starting salaries that may require careful budgeting, even with those manageable loan payments. This program works best for students who need quick workforce entry and can live on modest starting wages, not those expecting the certificate to be a springboard to middle-income stability.