Building/Construction Finishing, Management, and Inspection at CET-Colton

This Colton-based construction certificate program delivers exactly what it promises—nothing more, nothing less. At $28,485 in starting earnings against just $6,425 in debt, graduates leave with a manageable debt load equivalent to about three months' income. That's considerably less than typical loan balances for construction certificates nationally.

The challenge here is stagnation rather than debt. Earnings stay flat at around $28,000 from year one through year four, while some California construction programs—notably Cabrillo College—produce graduates earning nearly $48,000 annually. Among California's 53 certificate programs in this field, CET-Colton ranks around the 60th percentile, meaning it performs slightly better than average statewide but falls well short of the top tier. With over half of students receiving Pell grants, this program serves a working-class population, but those graduates aren't seeing the wage progression that typically comes with construction experience.

The low debt makes this certificate relatively low-risk financially, but parents should understand they're investing in immediate employment rather than long-term earnings growth. If your child needs quick entry into the construction field and can't relocate for a stronger program, this works. If they have flexibility in location or can pursue training at a community college like Cabrillo, those alternatives offer substantially better earning potential for similar or lower upfront costs.