Psychology at Coalinga College
Associate's Degree
Analysis
The $16,139 first-year earnings from Coalinga College's psychology associate program fall dramatically short—ranking in just the 10th percentile among California's 113 similar programs. That's $9,200 below the state median and roughly $8,300 less than nearby Fresno City College graduates earn. When other Central Valley community colleges like Merced and Modesto report earnings above $25,000, this outcome signals something isn't connecting between the program and local job markets.
The debt load itself is reasonable at $8,000, but context matters: earning barely above minimum wage full-time makes even modest debt feel heavy. The 0.50 debt-to-earnings ratio looks better on paper than it does in practice when the denominator is this low. For comparison, graduates from Merced College's psychology program earn more than twice as much in their first year while carrying similar debt.
The small sample size (under 30 graduates) means these numbers could shift with more data, but they can't shift enough to fundamentally change the picture. If your student is certain about psychology, other California community colleges demonstrate much stronger employment outcomes. This program needs to show it can connect graduates to viable career paths before it represents a sound investment.
Where Coalinga College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all psychology associates's programs nationally
Programs in the upper-left quadrant (high earnings, low debt) offer the best value. Programs in the lower-right quadrant warrant careful consideration.
Earnings Distribution
How Coalinga College graduates compare to all programs nationally
Coalinga College graduates earn $16k, placing them in the 5th percentile of all psychology associates programs nationally.
Compare to Similar Programs in California
Psychology associates's programs at peer institutions in California (113 total in state)
| School | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coalinga College | $16,139 | — | $8,000 | 0.50 |
| Merced College | $34,441 | $29,978 | $6,849 | 0.20 |
| Fresno City College | $27,421 | $30,921 | $7,802 | 0.28 |
| San Diego Mesa College | $26,229 | $29,319 | $7,597 | 0.29 |
| Modesto Junior College | $25,832 | $32,227 | $6,757 | 0.26 |
| College of the Desert | $25,792 | $28,739 | $5,500 | 0.21 |
| National Median | $26,232 | — | $11,198 | 0.43 |
Other Psychology Programs in California
Compare tuition, earnings, and debt across California schools
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Merced College Merced | $1,194 | $34,441 | $6,849 |
| Fresno City College Fresno | $1,334 | $27,421 | $7,802 |
| San Diego Mesa College San Diego | $1,150 | $26,229 | $7,597 |
| Modesto Junior College Modesto | $1,270 | $25,832 | $6,757 |
| College of the Desert Palm Desert | $1,326 | $25,792 | $5,500 |
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 Coalinga 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.
Sample Size: Based on 21 graduates with reported earnings and 27 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.