Business Administration, Management and Operations at Santa Ana College

Santa Ana College's business associate's degree starts graduates at just over $30,000—about $4,000 below the national average—but that first-year figure doesn't tell the full story. By year four, earnings jump 58% to nearly $48,000, outpacing not just the national median but every comparison program in California except Mendocino College. While this ranks only in the 32nd percentile nationally, it hits the 60th percentile among California programs, meaning it outperforms most in-state alternatives where your child would likely pay lower tuition.

The debt picture strengthens the value case: at $7,500, graduates owe roughly half the national median and fall in the 95th percentile for low debt—meaning only 5% of similar programs nationwide carry less debt burden. That quarter-of-a-year's-salary debt load is manageable even during those leaner first months after graduation.

For families prioritizing affordability and growth potential over immediate post-graduation salary, this program delivers. Your child starts behind peers at higher-performing California programs but closes that gap quickly, all while avoiding the debt trap that burdens graduates from costlier alternatives. The moderate sample size (30-100 graduates) means these figures are reasonably reliable, not based on just a handful of outcomes.