Location: Santa Maria, CA
Median Earnings (1yr)
$23,009
38th percentile
40th percentile in California
Median Debt
$5,894
38% below national median
D/E Ratio: 0.26 ManageableSample: 89 graduates

Analysis

CET-Santa Maria graduates earn $23,009 in their first year—about $2,600 below both California's median and the national average for business operations programs. Among California's 149 schools offering this certificate, that places graduates in the 40th percentile, meaning roughly 60% of comparable programs produce better initial earnings. The gap is significant: top programs in the state like Central Coast College report first-year earnings near $34,000, nearly 50% higher.

The positive news is the debt burden. At $5,894, graduates owe roughly half what students typically borrow for these certificates nationally ($9,500). The debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.26 means students face about three months of income in debt—manageable by any standard. Earnings also improve to $26,671 by year four, a 16% increase that narrows the gap with state medians. For students who need minimal debt and can accept below-average starting salaries, this works as an entry point to business support roles.

The real question is opportunity cost. With 149 programs across California, families should ask whether accepting 40th-percentile earnings makes sense when stronger alternatives exist nearby. This certificate gets you working quickly without crushing debt, but it's not the most competitive credential in a crowded field. If location flexibility exists, compare carefully against programs posting $27,000+ first-year outcomes.

Where CET-Santa Maria Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all business operations support and assistant services certificate's programs nationally

CET-Santa MariaOther business operations support and assistant services programs

Dashed lines show national medians. Upper-left = best value.

Earnings Distribution

How CET-Santa Maria graduates compare to all programs nationally

CET-Santa Maria earns $23k — 38th percentile among business operations support and assistant services certificate programs.

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
CET-Santa Maria$23,009$26,671+16%
Central Coast College$34,301$40,657+19%
Milan Institute-Visalia$27,868$31,742+14%
San Joaquin Valley College-Visalia$27,731$29,398+6%
San Joaquin Valley College-Bakersfield$27,731$29,398+6%

Compare to Similar Programs in California

Business Operations Support and Assistant Services certificate's programs at peer institutions in California (149 total in state)

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SchoolEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
CET-Santa MariaSanta Maria$23,009$26,671$5,8940.26
Central Coast CollegeSalinas$34,301$40,657——
Milan Institute-VisaliaVisalia$27,868$31,742$7,4990.27
San Joaquin Valley College-VisaliaVisalia$27,731$29,398$9,5000.34
San Joaquin Valley College-BakersfieldBakersfield$27,731$29,398$9,5000.34
San Joaquin Valley College-FresnoFresno$27,731$29,398$9,5000.34
National Median$25,094—$9,5000.38

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with business operations support and assistant services graduates

Procurement Clerks

Compile information and records to draw up purchase orders for procurement of materials and services.

$48,650/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent

Insurance Claims and Policy Processing Clerks

Process new insurance policies, modifications to existing policies, and claims forms. Obtain information from policyholders to verify the accuracy and completeness of information on claims forms, applications and related documents, and company records. Update existing policies and company records to reflect changes requested by policyholders and insurance company representatives.

$48,650/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent

Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants

Provide high-level administrative support by conducting research, preparing statistical reports, and handling information requests, as well as performing routine administrative functions such as preparing correspondence, receiving visitors, arranging conference calls, and scheduling meetings. May also train and supervise lower-level clerical staff.

$47,460/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent

Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive

Perform routine administrative functions such as drafting correspondence, scheduling appointments, organizing and maintaining paper and electronic files, or providing information to callers.

$47,460/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent

Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks

Coordinate and expedite the flow of work and materials within or between departments of an establishment according to production schedule. Duties include reviewing and distributing production, work, and shipment schedules; conferring with department supervisors to determine progress of work and completion dates; and compiling reports on progress of work, inventory levels, costs, and production problems.

$46,120/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent

Correspondence Clerks

Compose letters or electronic correspondence in reply to requests for merchandise, damage claims, credit and other information, delinquent accounts, incorrect billings, or unsatisfactory services. Duties may include gathering data to formulate reply and preparing correspondence.

$43,730/yrJobs growth:

File Clerks

File correspondence, cards, invoices, receipts, and other records in alphabetical or numerical order or according to the filing system used. Locate and remove material from file when requested.

$43,730/yrJobs growth:

Order Clerks

Receive and process incoming orders for materials, merchandise, classified ads, or services such as repairs, installations, or rental of facilities. Generally receives orders via mail, phone, fax, or other electronic means. Duties include informing customers of receipt, prices, shipping dates, and delays; preparing contracts; and handling complaints.

$43,730/yrJobs growth:

Human Resources Assistants, Except Payroll and Timekeeping

Compile and keep personnel records. Record data for each employee, such as address, weekly earnings, absences, amount of sales or production, supervisory reports, and date of and reason for termination. May prepare reports for employment records, file employment records, or search employee files and furnish information to authorized persons.

$43,730/yrJobs growth:

Office Clerks, General

Perform duties too varied and diverse to be classified in any specific office clerical occupation, requiring knowledge of office systems and procedures. Clerical duties may be assigned in accordance with the office procedures of individual establishments and may include a combination of answering telephones, bookkeeping, typing or word processing, office machine operation, and filing.

$43,630/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent

Customer Service Representatives

Interact with customers to provide basic or scripted information in response to routine inquiries about products and services. May handle and resolve general complaints. Excludes individuals whose duties are primarily installation, sales, repair, and technical support.

$42,830/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent

Receptionists and Information Clerks

Answer inquiries and provide information to the general public, customers, visitors, and other interested parties regarding activities conducted at establishment and location of departments, offices, and employees within the organization.

$37,230/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent
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 CET-Santa Maria, approximately 31% 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.

Sample Size: Based on 89 graduates with reported earnings and 49 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.