Location: Bakersfield, CA
Median Earnings (1yr)
$17,210
5th percentile
10th percentile in California
Median Debt
$9,500
At national median
D/E Ratio: 0.55 ManageableSample: 95 graduates

Analysis

At $17,210 one year after graduation, UEI College-Bakersfield's business operations certificate produces earnings that fall far below what families should expect. This program ranks in just the 10th percentile among California schools offering the same credential—meaning 90% of comparable programs in the state deliver better outcomes. Even San Joaquin Valley College's Bakersfield campus, located in the same city, reports earnings of $27,731, more than 60% higher. The gap isn't marginal; graduates here earn $8,400 less than California's median for this certificate and nearly $8,000 below the national average.

The debt load of $9,500 appears modest on paper, but context matters enormously. That amount equals more than half of first-year earnings, creating immediate financial strain for graduates entering minimum-wage-level jobs. While earnings do grow 25% to reach $21,434 by year four, that trajectory still leaves graduates earning less than they would have made starting at most other programs in the state. The high Pell Grant rate (78%) suggests this program serves students with limited financial resources—precisely the population that can least afford a credential delivering bottom-decile results.

Your child could invest the same time and money at several nearby institutions and reasonably expect 50-60% higher starting earnings. Unless there are compelling personal circumstances making this the only accessible option, that's a comparison that demands serious attention.

Where UEI College-Bakersfield Stands

Earnings vs. debt across all business operations support and assistant services certificate's programs nationally

UEI College-BakersfieldOther business operations support and assistant services programs

Dashed lines show national medians. Upper-left = best value.

Earnings Distribution

How UEI College-Bakersfield graduates compare to all programs nationally

UEI College-Bakersfield earns $17k — 5th percentile among business operations support and assistant services certificate programs.

Earnings Over Time

How earnings evolve from 1 year to 4 years after graduation

School1 Year4 YearsGrowth
UEI College-Bakersfield$17,210$21,434+25%
Central Coast College$34,301$40,657+19%
Milan Institute-Visalia$27,868$31,742+14%
San Joaquin Valley College-Visalia$27,731$29,398+6%
San Joaquin Valley College-Bakersfield$27,731$29,398+6%

Compare to Similar Programs in California

Business Operations Support and Assistant Services certificate's programs at peer institutions in California (149 total in state)

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SchoolEarnings (1yr)Earnings (4yr)Median DebtDebt/Earnings
UEI College-BakersfieldBakersfield$17,210$21,434$9,5000.55
Central Coast CollegeSalinas$34,301$40,657——
Milan Institute-VisaliaVisalia$27,868$31,742$7,4990.27
San Joaquin Valley College-VisaliaVisalia$27,731$29,398$9,5000.34
San Joaquin Valley College-BakersfieldBakersfield$27,731$29,398$9,5000.34
San Joaquin Valley College-FresnoFresno$27,731$29,398$9,5000.34
National Median$25,094—$9,5000.38

Career Paths

Occupations commonly associated with business operations support and assistant services graduates

Procurement Clerks

Compile information and records to draw up purchase orders for procurement of materials and services.

$48,650/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent

Insurance Claims and Policy Processing Clerks

Process new insurance policies, modifications to existing policies, and claims forms. Obtain information from policyholders to verify the accuracy and completeness of information on claims forms, applications and related documents, and company records. Update existing policies and company records to reflect changes requested by policyholders and insurance company representatives.

$48,650/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent

Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants

Provide high-level administrative support by conducting research, preparing statistical reports, and handling information requests, as well as performing routine administrative functions such as preparing correspondence, receiving visitors, arranging conference calls, and scheduling meetings. May also train and supervise lower-level clerical staff.

$47,460/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent

Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive

Perform routine administrative functions such as drafting correspondence, scheduling appointments, organizing and maintaining paper and electronic files, or providing information to callers.

$47,460/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent

Production, Planning, and Expediting Clerks

Coordinate and expedite the flow of work and materials within or between departments of an establishment according to production schedule. Duties include reviewing and distributing production, work, and shipment schedules; conferring with department supervisors to determine progress of work and completion dates; and compiling reports on progress of work, inventory levels, costs, and production problems.

$46,120/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent

Correspondence Clerks

Compose letters or electronic correspondence in reply to requests for merchandise, damage claims, credit and other information, delinquent accounts, incorrect billings, or unsatisfactory services. Duties may include gathering data to formulate reply and preparing correspondence.

$43,730/yrJobs growth:

File Clerks

File correspondence, cards, invoices, receipts, and other records in alphabetical or numerical order or according to the filing system used. Locate and remove material from file when requested.

$43,730/yrJobs growth:

Order Clerks

Receive and process incoming orders for materials, merchandise, classified ads, or services such as repairs, installations, or rental of facilities. Generally receives orders via mail, phone, fax, or other electronic means. Duties include informing customers of receipt, prices, shipping dates, and delays; preparing contracts; and handling complaints.

$43,730/yrJobs growth:

Human Resources Assistants, Except Payroll and Timekeeping

Compile and keep personnel records. Record data for each employee, such as address, weekly earnings, absences, amount of sales or production, supervisory reports, and date of and reason for termination. May prepare reports for employment records, file employment records, or search employee files and furnish information to authorized persons.

$43,730/yrJobs growth:

Office Clerks, General

Perform duties too varied and diverse to be classified in any specific office clerical occupation, requiring knowledge of office systems and procedures. Clerical duties may be assigned in accordance with the office procedures of individual establishments and may include a combination of answering telephones, bookkeeping, typing or word processing, office machine operation, and filing.

$43,630/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent

Customer Service Representatives

Interact with customers to provide basic or scripted information in response to routine inquiries about products and services. May handle and resolve general complaints. Excludes individuals whose duties are primarily installation, sales, repair, and technical support.

$42,830/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent

Receptionists and Information Clerks

Answer inquiries and provide information to the general public, customers, visitors, and other interested parties regarding activities conducted at establishment and location of departments, offices, and employees within the organization.

$37,230/yrJobs growth:High school diploma or equivalent
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 UEI College-Bakersfield, approximately 78% 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 95 graduates with reported earnings and 131 graduates with debt data. Small samples may not be representative.