Health/Medical Preparatory Programs at Merced College
Associate's Degree
Earnings Distribution
How Merced College graduates compare to all programs nationally
Merced College graduates earn $31k, placing them in the 85th percentile of all health/medical preparatory programs associates programs nationally.
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
Earnings trajectories vary significantly. Some programs show strong early returns that plateau; others start lower but accelerate. Consider where you want to be at year 4, not just year 1.
Compare to Similar Programs in California
Health/Medical Preparatory Programs associates's programs at peer institutions in California (43 total in state)
| School | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Merced College | $31,345 | $39,062 | $13,997* | — |
| Gavilan College | $28,448 | — | —* | — |
| Diablo Valley College | $24,803 | — | $12,312* | 0.50 |
| National Median | $27,336 | — | $14,068* | 0.51 |
Other Health/Medical Preparatory Programs Programs in California
Compare tuition, earnings, and debt across California schools
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gavilan College Gilroy | $1,506 | $28,448 | — |
| Diablo Valley College Pleasant Hill | $1,312 | $24,803 | $12,312 |
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 Merced College, approximately 33% 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 16 graduates with reported earnings and 11 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.