Health and Physical Education/Fitness at Riverside City College

Riverside City College's fitness and PE program lands in the middle of the pack among California community colleges, but the small number of graduates makes it tough to draw firm conclusions. With only a handful of students tracked, earnings that hit the state median at $25,516 could shift dramatically with a different cohort.

The numbers themselves look reasonable on paper—graduates owe just $8,046 while seeing 22% earnings growth over four years. That's a manageable debt load for community college credentials. However, the ceiling appears limited: even after four years, median earnings reach only $31,022, well below what some California programs achieve (Lionel University grads earn $46,831). This reflects the reality of entry-level fitness and recreation jobs, which typically don't command high wages regardless of where you study.

For families banking on this associate's degree as a workforce credential, understand that it's more likely a stepping stone than a destination. The modest debt won't sink anyone financially, but the earnings trajectory suggests many graduates will need additional training, certifications, or a bachelor's degree to substantially increase their income. If your student is passionate about fitness and views this as the start of a longer educational journey, the low debt makes it workable. If they're expecting this two-year program alone to launch a stable career, the earning potential may disappoint.