Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Lemoore College

Lemoore College's Liberal Arts associate's program starts graduates at $22,918—roughly $5,000 below both state and national medians—but the 30% earnings jump to nearly $30,000 by year four suggests graduates are finding pathways to better opportunities. Among California's 133 programs, this ranks in just the 25th percentile, meaning three-quarters of comparable programs produce higher earnings. The $9,000 debt load is manageable but doesn't fully compensate for the weaker early earnings, leaving this program trailing significantly behind top California community colleges like Santiago Canyon ($37,149) and Diablo Valley ($35,813).

The low starting salary matters because many associate degree holders enter the workforce immediately rather than transferring to four-year schools. At $22,918, graduates barely clear poverty-level wages for a family, making those first few years financially challenging. The earnings recovery by year four is encouraging, but it means counting on advancement or job changes rather than starting from a stronger position. With 38% of students receiving Pell grants, many here are already working with thin financial margins.

For California families, this program represents a low-risk but low-reward option. The modest debt won't crush anyone, but graduates should expect to start well behind peers from other community colleges in the state. If your child plans to transfer to a four-year school anyway, that makes the weak initial earnings less critical—but if they're entering the workforce directly, stronger alternatives exist within the California community college system.