Business Operations Support and Assistant Services at San Joaquin Valley College-Santa Maria
Associate's Degree
Analysis
San Joaquin Valley College's business operations program lands squarely in the middle of the pack—hitting both national and state medians for earnings while carrying typical debt levels. First-year graduates earn $28,691, which places this program at the 60th percentile among California's 111 similar programs. The $20,000 in median debt translates to a manageable debt-to-earnings ratio of 0.70, meaning graduates can expect their first-year salary to cover debt 1.4 times over.
The real story here is the 21% earnings growth over four years, climbing to $34,804 by year four. This trajectory suggests the degree provides a foundation that helps graduates advance, rather than leaving them stuck at entry-level wages. For context, this same pattern appears across other San Joaquin Valley College campuses, indicating consistent program quality. With 62% of students receiving Pell grants, this program clearly serves working-class families looking for practical career training.
For a family considering this investment, the numbers work if your student is committed to building administrative skills that can lead somewhere. The debt is reasonable, the earnings grow meaningfully, and California's strong office job market provides opportunities. It's not a standout program, but it delivers what it promises: stable entry into business operations with room to grow.
Where San Joaquin Valley College-Santa Maria Stands
Earnings vs. debt across all business operations support and assistant services associates's programs nationally
Programs in the upper-left quadrant (high earnings, low debt) offer the best value. Programs in the lower-right quadrant warrant careful consideration.
Earnings Distribution
How San Joaquin Valley College-Santa Maria graduates compare to all programs nationally
San Joaquin Valley College-Santa Maria graduates earn $29k, placing them in the 50th percentile of all business operations support and assistant services associates programs nationally.
Earnings Over Time
How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation
Earnings trajectories vary significantly. Some programs show strong early returns that plateau; others start lower but accelerate. Consider where you want to be at year 4, not just year 1.
Compare to Similar Programs in California
Business Operations Support and Assistant Services associates's programs at peer institutions in California (111 total in state)
| School | Earnings (1yr) | Earnings (4yr) | Median Debt | Debt/Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Joaquin Valley College-Santa Maria | $28,691 | $34,804 | $20,000 | 0.70 |
| San Joaquin Valley College-Visalia | $28,691 | $34,804 | $20,000 | 0.70 |
| San Joaquin Valley College-Bakersfield | $28,691 | $34,804 | $20,000 | 0.70 |
| San Joaquin Valley College-Fresno | $28,691 | $34,804 | $20,000 | 0.70 |
| San Joaquin Valley College-Ontario | $28,691 | $34,804 | $20,000 | 0.70 |
| San Joaquin Valley College-Modesto | $28,691 | $34,804 | $20,000 | 0.70 |
| National Median | $28,691 | — | $20,000 | 0.70 |
Other Business Operations Support and Assistant Services Programs in California
Compare tuition, earnings, and debt across California schools
| School | In-State Tuition | Earnings (1yr) | Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Joaquin Valley College-Visalia Visalia | — | $28,691 | $20,000 |
| San Joaquin Valley College-Bakersfield Bakersfield | — | $28,691 | $20,000 |
| San Joaquin Valley College-Fresno Fresno | — | $28,691 | $20,000 |
| San Joaquin Valley College-Ontario Ontario | — | $28,691 | $20,000 |
| San Joaquin Valley College-Modesto Salida | — | $28,691 | $20,000 |
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 San Joaquin Valley College-Santa Maria, approximately 62% 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 72 graduates with reported earnings and 98 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.