Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at Mt San Jacinto Community College District
Associate's Degree
msjc.eduAnalysis
Mt San Jacinto's general studies associate program sits solidly in California's middle tier, ranking at the 40th percentile among 133 similar programs statewide. With first-year earnings of $23,923, graduates earn about $3,600 less than the state median, though they also carry significantly less debt—$6,600 versus the state median of $8,750. This creates a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.28, meaning graduates owe less than three months of salary.
The earnings trajectory shows encouraging momentum. By year four, median earnings reach $28,956, representing 21% growth and nearly matching the state median. This suggests graduates are gaining traction in the job market, even if they start behind peers from stronger programs like Santiago Canyon or Diablo Valley College, where first-year earnings top $35,000.
For families seeking an affordable path to an associate degree—particularly the 33% of students receiving Pell grants—this represents reasonable value. The low debt burden matters more than the modest starting salary, especially given the upward earnings trend. However, parents should understand their student will likely need to supplement this degree with additional training or work experience to reach competitive earning levels in California's job market.
Where Mt San Jacinto Community College District Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all liberal arts and sciences, general studies and humanities associates's programs nationally
Earnings Distribution
How Mt San Jacinto Community College District graduates compare to all programs nationally
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
| School | 1 Year | 4 Years | Growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mt San Jacinto Community College District | $23,923 | $28,956 | +21% |
| Hartnell College | $22,681 | $48,090 | +112% |
| National University | $41,545 | $46,351 | +12% |
| Saddleback College | $16,740 | $45,388 | +171% |
| Santiago Canyon College | $37,149 | $43,051 | +16% |
Compare to Similar Programs in California
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities associates's programs at peer institutions in California (133 total in state)
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| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Mt San Jacinto Community College DistrictSan Jacinto | $1,406 | $23,923 | $28,956 | $6,600 | 0.28 |
 National UniversitySan Diego | $13,320 | $41,545 | $46,351 | $10,008 | 0.24 |
 Santiago Canyon CollegeOrange | $1,164 | $37,149 | $43,051 | $5,500 | 0.15 |
 Diablo Valley CollegePleasant Hill | $1,312 | $35,813 | — | $10,853 | 0.30 |
 Los Medanos CollegePittsburg | $1,312 | $35,283 | $37,818 | $9,500 | 0.27 |
 Los Angeles Southwest CollegeLos Angeles | $1,238 | $32,770 | $34,169 | $13,870 | 0.42 |
| National Median | — | $27,248 | — | $10,950 | 0.40 |
Career Paths
Occupations commonly associated with liberal arts and sciences, general studies and humanities graduates
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 Mt San Jacinto Community College District, 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 47 graduates with reported earnings and 46 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.