Public Health at Coalinga College

Coalinga College's Public Health associate program shows a pattern that demands patience: graduates start near the bottom nationally (5th percentile) at $29,951, but earnings more than double to $60,935 within four years. That 103% growth trajectory is remarkable for an associate degree, though it raises questions about whether graduates need additional credentials or experience to reach those higher earnings.

The debt picture is genuinely excellent—at $6,517, it's well below both the national median ($20,000) and California's already-low state median ($6,821). With a debt-to-earnings ratio of just 0.22 based on first-year income, graduates carry minimal financial burden even during that challenging initial period. Among California's ten public health associate programs, this one performs right at the state median for starting salary (40th percentile), so the low first-year earnings aren't unique to Coalinga.

For families willing to accept delayed returns, the math works: low debt plus strong four-year earnings creates genuine value. But parents should understand their child will likely spend that first year or two in entry-level positions earning around $30,000—possibly while pursuing a bachelor's degree or professional certification—before accessing those higher wages. If your student needs immediate earning power or plans to stop at the associate level, this program's early-career weakness becomes more problematic.