Human Development, Family Studies, at Merritt College
Undergraduate Certificate or Diploma
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
| School | 1 Year | 4 Years | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Merritt College | — | $28,564 | — |
| Ferris State University | $49,671 | $48,577 | -2% |
| Coalinga College | $18,810 | $27,959 | +49% |
| Cabrillo College | $23,686 | $22,130 | -7% |
| Modesto Junior College | $15,819 | $18,330 | +16% |
Compare to Similar Programs in California
Human Development, Family Studies, certificate's programs at peer institutions in California (112 total in state)
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr)* | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt* | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Merritt CollegeOakland | $1,167 | $21,248* | $28,564 | $9,034* | — |
 Santa Ana CollegeSanta Ana | $1,180 | $23,863* | — | $6,630* | 0.28 |
 Cabrillo CollegeAptos | $1,270 | $23,686* | $22,130 | —* | — |
 Coalinga CollegeCoalinga | $1,384 | $18,810* | $27,959 | $9,500* | 0.51 |
 Modesto Junior CollegeModesto | $1,270 | $15,819* | $18,330 | $9,136* | 0.58 |
| National Median | — | $21,341* | — | $11,160* | 0.52 |
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 Merritt College, approximately 9% 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.
Estimated Earnings: Actual earnings data is not available for this program (typically due to privacy thresholds when fewer than 30 graduates reported earnings). The estimate shown is based on the median of 4 similar programs in CA. Actual outcomes may vary.