At $20,549/yr net price, San Joaquin Valley College-Santa Maria 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) | $20,549 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $82,196 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $38,317/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$4,317/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 19 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 48.9% |
| 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 | $19,811/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $20,250/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $21,070/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $25,709/yr |
| $110,001+ | $25,709/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
48.9% of students at San Joaquin Valley College-Santa Maria graduate within 6 years. More than half of students finish, but the dropout rate is a real factor in whether this investment pays off.
Analysis
The financial return here is weak. You pay about $20,500 a year at a two-year for-profit school and land at median earnings around $38,000 a decade later. That gap is the core problem: your net price is high for the payoff.
Nursing is the one program that clears the bar. The vocational nursing associate degree pays the most of any program here and carries no listed debt, which makes it the clear financial pick. HVAC also works if you take the certificate route, where earnings run higher than the associate version and debt stays lower. The associate HVAC path costs you more debt for less pay, so the certificate is the smarter buy.
Criminal justice and business operations are the danger zones. Both leave you carrying roughly $19,000 in debt while paying under $29,000 a year. That combination doesn't add up, and you should avoid these programs unless you have a specific job lined up.
The specific risk at this school is the 48.9% graduation rate. Fewer than half of you finish, and if you drop out you keep the debt without the credential or the earnings that justify it. On a two-year program, that's a steep bet.
Net price barely moves by income until you cross $75,000, then it jumps by about $5,000. If your family earns under $48,000, you pay close to the same as everyone below six figures, so the sticker doesn't shrink much for lower-income families here.
This school fits you if you want vocational nursing or the HVAC certificate and you're confident you'll finish. Look elsewhere if you're drawn to criminal justice or business operations, or if you're unsure about completing a program, because the debt outpaces the reward in those cases.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is San Joaquin Valley College-Santa Maria worth the cost?
With a net price of $20,549 annually and median earnings of $38,317 ten years after graduation, the return on investment is modest. The relatively low graduation rate of 49% means nearly half of students don't complete their programs.
What programs at San Joaquin Valley College-Santa Maria have the best job prospects?
Practical nursing graduates earn around $41,441, making it the highest-paying program at the school. HVAC technician training also offers solid returns with starting salaries near $39,000.
How much debt do San Joaquin Valley College-Santa Maria graduates typically have?
The median debt load is $10,674, which is relatively manageable compared to many schools. However, this only reflects students who complete their programs, not those who drop out with debt.
Should I avoid certain programs at San Joaquin Valley College-Santa Maria?
Criminal justice and business operations programs show lower earning potential at $28,666 and $26,313 respectively. These salaries may not justify the cost of attendance at this school.