Business/Commerce at Mt San Antonio College

An estimated $11,000 in debt represents a manageable starting point for a business degree, particularly when compared to California's typical $8,457 for similar programs. While first-year earnings estimates based on national peer programs suggest around $36,591, the actual reported figure of nearly $50,000 by year four indicates that Mt San Antonio College graduates may see meaningful income growth relatively quickly. That four-year number—real data from this program's graduates—exceeds what many business associate's programs in California produce.

The 0.30 debt-to-earnings ratio, even using conservative first-year estimates, signals a financially sound investment. Community college credentials like this one typically help students enter the workforce without the debt burden that four-year programs often carry. The substantial jump from estimated first-year to actual fourth-year earnings suggests graduates either advance quickly or move into better-paying roles as they gain experience.

For families weighing this program, the combination of modest estimated debt and solid mid-term earnings outcomes makes this a defensible choice, especially for students who need to start working while keeping educational costs contained. The actual fourth-year earnings data provides more confidence than the estimates alone would warrant.