Overview

A recent study highlights the return on investment for community colleges in the Los Angeles area, showcasing how quickly students can recoup their educational costs. The findings are part of the Golden Returns study, which evaluates California community and career colleges.

Kathy Bui's journey exemplifies the benefits of attending Cerritos College, where she obtained a dental assisting certificate that led to a career in orthodontics.

Key details

  • The Golden Returns study was created by the HEA Group and College Futures Foundation.
  • It ranks colleges based on the price-to-earnings metric, assessing how quickly students can recover their educational investments.
  • Skyline College in San Bruno is ranked as the top community college in California for return on investment.
  • Moorpark College and Cerritos College are the only two Los Angeles-area schools in the top 10 of the study.
  • Moorpark College is ranked No. 7, while Cerritos College is ranked No. 10 in California.
  • The study evaluated a total of 327 community and career colleges across California.
  • Cerritos College is located in Norwalk and offers a bachelor’s degree program.
  • Kathy Bui graduated from Cal State Fullerton in 2020 before pursuing dental assisting at Cerritos College.
  • After earning her certificate in 2023, Bui secured a position at a private dental practice in Lakewood.
  • Bui has returned to Cerritos College to further her education and aims to become a dental hygienist.
  • The study also ranks community colleges specifically in Los Angeles County.
  • Cerritos College is ranked No. 1 in Los Angeles County for return on investment.

Context

The findings from the Golden Returns study underscore the importance of evaluating the financial outcomes of community college education, especially as students seek to maximize their investments in higher education.

What happens next

As community colleges continue to adapt to the needs of students, the focus on return on investment may influence prospective students' choices and encourage institutions to enhance their programs.

What we don't know yet

Details regarding the specific methodologies used in the Golden Returns study and the broader implications of these rankings for students and colleges are not confirmed.