Business Operations Support and Assistant Services at Diversified Vocational College

Diversified Vocational College's business operations certificate shows troubling first-year outcomes that improve but never catch up. Graduates earn just $12,153 in year one—less than half the $25,627 California median for this program and ranking in the bottom 10th percentile statewide. Even after four years, when earnings climb to $20,125, graduates remain $5,500 behind the typical California program and roughly $14,000 below what students earn at the state's top-performing schools like Central Coast College.

The 66% earnings growth sounds promising until you realize it's mostly recovery from an exceptionally weak start. At typical retail or administrative assistant wages, many graduates may struggle to make loan payments on their $9,500 debt, which equals 9-10 months of first-year income. The program serves a predominantly low-income population (83% receive Pell grants), making the extended period of below-minimum-wage-equivalent earnings particularly concerning.

With 149 California schools offering this certificate, families have significantly better options at similar or lower debt levels. This program's combination of bottom-decile performance and years of catch-up needed makes it difficult to recommend, even for students seeking quick workforce entry.