At $23,940/yr net price, San Joaquin Valley College-Lancaster graduates earn $38,317/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $4,317/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $23,940 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $95,760 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $38,317/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$4,317/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 22.2 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 39.7% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $10,674 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $23,516/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $24,792/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $24,916/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $28,474/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR). | Certificate | $39,009 | $13,000 |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR). | Associate | $34,921 | $19,584 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Associate | $28,666 | $19,125 |
| Business Operations Support and Assistant Services. | Associate | $26,313 | $19,950 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | Associate | $24,765 | $18,844 |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Associate | $23,853 | $18,250 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | Certificate | $22,858 | $9,500 |
| Business Operations Support and Assistant Services. | Certificate | $22,094 | $9,379 |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Certificate | $21,861 | $9,500 |
The Risk Factor
39.7% of students at San Joaquin Valley College-Lancaster graduate within 6 years. Fewer than half of students complete their degree. If you don't graduate, the financial investment may not pay off.
Analysis
The financial return here is weak, and the numbers make that clear. You pay about $23,940 a year at a two-year school, and ten years out the median graduate earns $38,317. That earnings figure barely clears what many jobs pay without any postsecondary credential, and it comes after two years of tuition at a for-profit price point.
The program data tells you where the value sits. The HVAC certificate is the one bright spot: it produces the highest earnings on the list while carrying the lowest debt, because it takes less time and money to finish. If you come here, the HVAC track is the clearest path to getting your money back, and Lancaster's construction and building-maintenance demand supports that trade.
The associate degrees are a different story. The HVAC associate earns less than the HVAC certificate yet saddles you with far more debt, so paying extra for the longer credential loses you money. Criminal Justice, Business Operations Support, and Health and Medical Administrative Services all land under $29,000 in earnings while piling on roughly $19,000 in debt. Those combinations are hard to justify.
Two risks are specific to this school. Only about 40% of students finish, so there's a real chance you pay tuition and leave without a credential. And the net price actually climbs as family income rises: households under $30,000 pay slightly less than those in the $75,000-$110,000 range, but even the lowest tier still faces over $23,000 a year.
This school fits you if you want the HVAC certificate specifically and can complete it. If you're eyeing any of the associate programs, look at a community college first, where the same fields cost far less.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is San Joaquin Valley College-Lancaster worth the cost?
The value depends heavily on your program choice. HVAC programs show decent returns with graduates earning around $37,000, but other programs like health administration lead to earnings below $25,000 annually.
What is the graduation rate at San Joaquin Valley College-Lancaster?
Only 40% of students graduate from San Joaquin Valley College-Lancaster. This low completion rate increases the risk of taking on debt without earning a credential.
How much debt do San Joaquin Valley College-Lancaster graduates have?
The median debt is relatively low at $10,674. However, with typical graduate earnings of $38,317, students in lower-paying programs may struggle to justify even this debt level.
Which programs at San Joaquin Valley College-Lancaster have the best job prospects?
HVAC programs offer the strongest earning potential at around $37,000-39,000 annually. Criminal justice and business support programs lead to significantly lower salaries in the mid-to-upper $20,000 range.