Business Administration, Management and Operations at Fresno City College

Fresno City College's business associate's degree starts slow but accelerates impressively—first-year earnings of $28K nearly double national debt levels and jump 43% to $40K by year four. That earnings trajectory suggests graduates are gaining traction in the job market, though the starting point ranks below both national and California medians.

The debt picture is genuinely excellent: $7,689 is less than half the national median for business associate's programs and sits at the 95th percentile nationwide. In California specifically, this program holds steady at the 40th percentile for earnings—middle of the pack among 136 programs statewide. Compare that to top California performers like Mendocino College ($49K) or San Bernardino Valley College ($45K), and there's clearly room for better outcomes, but Fresno City delivers reasonable value given the minimal debt load.

The real question is whether that $28K starting salary works for your family's immediate financial needs. If your student can weather a modest initial income while building experience, the strong earnings growth and low debt create a manageable path forward. But this isn't the quick launch that other California community colleges achieve—it's a slower build that pays off over time.