Business Operations Support and Assistant Services at San Joaquin Valley College-Lancaster

This program lands squarely in the middle of the pack—both nationally and statewide—but that middle ground translates to genuinely challenging economics for graduates. Starting at under $29,000 annually, students face immediate financial pressure from day one, with debt equal to 70% of their first-year salary. While the 60th percentile ranking among California programs suggests this particular campus performs slightly better than the state median, that's less impressive when you consider the earnings are identical across multiple San Joaquin Valley College locations statewide.

The good news is earnings growth: graduates see a 21% increase over four years, reaching nearly $35,000. That trajectory matters for long-term financial stability, even if it doesn't solve the early-career squeeze. The fact that 60% of students receive Pell grants means many families here already face financial constraints, making that $20,000 debt load particularly consequential.

For families weighing this investment, understand that you're looking at roughly two years of work to pay off the debt if your child dedicates their entire starting salary to it. The program isn't dramatically overpriced compared to peers, but the earnings ceiling in this field is low across the board. If your child is set on business support roles, this gets them credentials at market rates—but explore whether any local community colleges offer similar training at lower cost.