Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities at West Valley College

West Valley College's Liberal Arts associate degree comes with an important caveat: these numbers reflect fewer than 30 graduates, making them less reliable indicators of typical outcomes. That said, the data we have shows earnings of $26,161 one year out—falling below both California's median ($27,524) and the national benchmark ($27,248) for this program. Within California's 133 schools offering this degree, West Valley lands at the 40th percentile, meaning roughly 60% of comparable programs produce stronger initial earnings. Compare this to top-performing California community colleges like Diablo Valley ($35,813) or Los Medanos ($35,283), which nearly double West Valley's outcomes.

The upside here is manageable debt at $14,308, which represents just over half a year's earnings—a reasonable ratio for an associate degree. This debt level sits well below the national median of $10,950 but is notably higher than California's typical $8,750, suggesting West Valley students may be borrowing more than peers at other state community colleges. For a two-year credential, this burden remains workable even with below-average earnings.

For parents weighing this investment, the key question is whether your student needs this specific degree or could access stronger-performing programs elsewhere in the Bay Area or California system. Given the small sample size, one graduate's unusual outcome could be skewing these numbers in either direction. If West Valley offers specific transfer advantages or location benefits your family values, the debt level won't create a financial crisis—but the earnings data suggests looking at alternatives first.