Analysis
Diablo Valley College's Health/Medical Preparatory program falls short of what similar California programs deliver. At $24,803 in first-year earnings, graduates earn about $3,600 less than the state median and rank at just the 40th percentile among California's health prep programs. Nearby community colleges like Merced and Gavilan see their graduates earning $28,000-$31,000 in that crucial first year.
The debt picture is slightly better than average—$12,312 puts graduates about $2,000 below typical borrowing for this degree. That translates to a manageable 0.50 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates owe roughly half their first-year salary. Still, the combination of below-average earnings with middling debt means students are starting their careers on weaker financial footing than peers at other California schools.
The caveat here matters: with fewer than 30 graduates in the data, these numbers might not represent typical outcomes. But taken at face value, parents should ask why this program underperforms the California average by 14%. For a family considering in-state options, other community colleges appear to position graduates more successfully in the job market without requiring additional debt.
Where Diablo Valley College Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all health/medical preparatory programs associates's programs nationally
Earnings Distribution
How Diablo Valley College graduates compare to all programs nationally
Compare to Similar Programs in California
Health/Medical Preparatory Programs associates's programs at peer institutions in California (43 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Diablo Valley CollegePleasant Hill | $1,312 | $24,803 | — | $12,312 | 0.50 |
 Merced CollegeMerced | $1,194 | $31,345 | $39,062 | — | — |
 Gavilan CollegeGilroy | $1,506 | $28,448 | — | — | — |
| National Median | — | $27,336 | — | $14,068 | 0.51 |
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 Diablo Valley College, approximately 17% 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 22 graduates with reported earnings and 42 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.