At $24,617/yr net price, San Joaquin Valley College-Modesto 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) | $24,617 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $98,468 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $38,317/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$4,317/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 22.8 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 61.1% |
| 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 | $23,312/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $24,143/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $25,870/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $27,099/yr |
| $110,001+ | $27,429/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies. | Certificate | $46,869 | $9,500 |
| Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies. | Associate | $43,798 | |
| 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
61.1% of students at San Joaquin Valley College-Modesto graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 39% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
The financial return here is weak, and the numbers make that clear. You pay about $24,617 a year at a two-year for-profit school, and the median graduate earns $38,317 a decade later. Two years of that net price runs close to $49,000, which is well above what the typical graduate makes in a single year on the job.
The programs split hard. Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance is the one that pays. Both the certificate and associate versions land in the mid-$40,000s, and the certificate carries under $10,000 in debt. If you want a return from this school, that is the path. Criminal Justice, Business Operations Support, and Health and Medical Administrative Services all pay under $29,000 while stacking up roughly $19,000 in debt. The equipment maintenance associate earns about $17,000 more per year than the health administration associate, and you can borrow half as much to get there.
The specific risk is that you enroll in one of the office or health-support associate programs, borrow near $19,000, and end up earning wages that make repayment slow. The median debt across the school ($10,674) looks manageable, but the low-earning programs push well past that.
Net price barely moves by income. A family under $30,000 pays $23,312. a family over $110,000 pays $27,429. Low-income families get almost no price break here, so the sticker cost hits hardest on those least able to carry it.
This school fits you if you enroll in equipment maintenance and want fast, hands-on training tied to trade wages. Look elsewhere if you are aiming at criminal justice, business support, or health administration, since the debt and pay in those tracks do not add up.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is San Joaquin Valley College-Modesto worth the cost?
The ROI is mixed - graduates earn $38,317 annually after 10 years while paying $24,617 per year in net costs. Heavy equipment maintenance programs show strong returns at $43,000-$47,000, but other programs like health administration and business support lead to below-average earnings.
What are the best paying programs at San Joaquin Valley College-Modesto?
Heavy and industrial equipment maintenance programs offer the strongest ROI, with graduates earning $43,798 to $46,869 annually. Criminal justice graduates earn significantly less at $28,666, while business and health administration programs pay around $24,000-$26,000.
How much debt do San Joaquin Valley College-Modesto graduates have?
The median debt is $10,674, which is relatively low compared to many colleges. However, with average earnings of $38,317 after 10 years, graduates still face a challenging debt-to-income ratio depending on their program.
What is the graduation rate at San Joaquin Valley College-Modesto?
The graduation rate is 61.1%, meaning nearly 4 out of 10 students don't complete their programs. This completion risk should factor into your decision, especially for programs with lower earning potential.