Building/Construction Finishing, Management, and Inspection at CET-San Diego

CET-San Diego's construction certificate delivers relatively modest earnings—around $28,500—that stay completely flat from year one through year four. While this places the program at the 60th percentile among California construction programs, that ranking is somewhat misleading: the top program in the state (Cabrillo College) sees graduates earning nearly $48,000, revealing a wide performance gap even within California's construction education landscape.

The debt picture offers some relief. At $6,425, graduates carry manageable debt loads with a 0.23 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning you'd owe roughly three months' salary. This makes the financial downside relatively contained, though the upside appears limited too. The complete absence of earnings growth over four years suggests graduates may be starting in entry-level positions without clear advancement paths—unusual in an industry where experience typically translates to better wages and supervisory roles.

For parents, this program works primarily as a low-risk credential to break into construction work quickly, not as a pathway to higher earnings. If your child can access similar training through apprenticeships or community colleges (like Cabrillo), those alternatives merit serious consideration. CET-San Diego makes sense mainly if speed to employment matters more than long-term earning potential.