At $24,175/yr net price, San Joaquin Valley College-Rancho Mirage 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) | $24,175 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $96,700 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $38,317/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$4,317/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 22.4 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 68.1% |
| 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 | $24,480/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $21,757/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $24,468/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants. | Associate | $41,441 | |
| 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
68.1% of students at San Joaquin Valley College-Rancho Mirage graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 32% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
The math at San Joaquin Valley College-Rancho Mirage is tight. You pay around $24,000 a year here, and median earnings ten years out land at $38,317. That means one year of net price nearly equals two-thirds of a full year's salary a decade later. The 68% graduation rate and low $10,674 median debt keep this from being a disaster, but the return is thin.
Your program choice decides everything here. Vocational nursing is the clear winner at $41,441, and it feeds directly into hospital and clinic demand across the Coachella Valley. HVAC also pays off, especially the certificate at $39,009, which comes with $13,000 in debt versus the associate's $19,584 for lower pay. The desert heat around Rancho Mirage keeps HVAC techs working, so that skill has staying power locally.
The weaker bets are criminal justice at $28,666 and business support at $26,313. Both carry roughly $19,000 in debt while paying under $30,000. Borrowing that much for those earnings is a bad trade, and you should skip them unless you have a specific local job lined up.
The net price tiers are the real risk. If your family earns under $30,000, you pay $24,480, more than the $21,757 charged to families making $30,000 to $48,000. Lower income does not buy you a lower price here, which is unusual and works against the students who can least afford it.
This school fits you if you want vocational nursing or HVAC and plan to work in the Coachella Valley. Go for the HVAC certificate over the associate to hold down debt. Look elsewhere if you are drawn to criminal justice or business support, or if you are counting on need-based pricing to bring costs down.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is San Joaquin Valley College-Rancho Mirage worth the cost?
With a net price of $24,175 per year and median earnings of $38,317 after 10 years, the ROI is weak for most programs. Only nursing and HVAC programs show decent earning potential that justifies the cost.
What are the best paying programs at San Joaquin Valley College-Rancho Mirage?
Practical nursing graduates earn around $41,441 annually, while HVAC technicians make about $39,009. Criminal justice and business programs pay significantly less at $28,666 and $26,313 respectively.
How much debt do San Joaquin Valley College-Rancho Mirage graduates have?
The median debt is $10,674, which is relatively low compared to four-year colleges. However, with lower earning potential in many programs, even this amount can be challenging to repay.
What is the graduation rate at San Joaquin Valley College-Rancho Mirage?
The graduation rate is 68.1%, meaning about one-third of students don't complete their programs. This adds significant risk to your investment, especially in lower-paying fields.