Best Business/Commerce, General Degrees in California by ROI
Colleges in California ranked by estimated 20-year net return on investment — calculated from median graduate earnings, total attendance cost, and average student debt. Data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
Programs in California
10
Colleges with salary data
Average 20-Yr Net ROI
-$59,035
Across California programs
Average Annual Cost
$13,514
Cost of attendance
| # | College | 20-Yr Net ROI | Median Salary | Annual Cost | Avg Debt | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Cerritos College
Grad rate: 29.1% |
+$150,962 | $50,389 | $8,409 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 2 |
Mt San Antonio College
Grad rate: 39.6% |
+$130,346 | $49,725 | $12,077 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 3 |
Evergreen Valley College
Grad rate: 38.6% |
+$32,166 | $45,864 | $22,557 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 4 |
San Joaquin Delta College
Grad rate: 30.7% |
+$32,126 | $45,320 | $17,137 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 5 |
Golden West College
Grad rate: 43.2% |
+$24,888 | $44,465 | $12,206 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 6 |
Citrus College
Grad rate: 42.8% |
-$23,504 | $42,066 | $12,412 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 7 |
Grossmont College
Grad rate: 29.8% |
-$25,966 | $41,856 | $11,543 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 8 |
Modesto Junior College
Grad rate: 25.4% |
-$262,854 | $30,905 | $14,769 | $8,457 | Full ROI → |
| 9 |
College of the Redwoods
Grad rate: 24.7% |
-$286,922 | $28,879 | $12,251 | N/A | Full ROI → |
| 10 |
Victor Valley College
Grad rate: 26.9% |
-$361,599 | $25,453 | $11,786 | $5,250 | Full ROI → |
How ROI is calculated
20-Year Net ROI = Gross Earnings (salary × 20) − Total Degree Cost (annual cost × programme years) − Debt Payoff (avg debt × 1.35) − Baseline Opportunity Cost ($42,000 × 20 = $840,000)
A positive ROI means a degree in this field pays off relative to entering the workforce without one. Data from the U.S. College Scorecard.
Find Best Business/Commerce, General Degrees by State
Browse Business/Commerce, General programs ranked by 20-year ROI in every state that offers this degree.