Cerritos College delivers L.A.’s top return on investment in education

Earn more money, faster with Cerritos College. A new study by the College Futures Foundation and The HEA Group ranks Cerritos College #1 in Los Angeles County and #10 in California for the return on investment (ROI) in higher education. 

According to the report “Golden Returns: A Regional Look at the Return on Investment of California’s Community and Career Colleges,” Cerritos College outperforms other two-year public institutions, with graduates recouping their investment in as little as two months, compared to the average of 2.6 years for the L.A. region. With an average two-year program cost of $1,386, Cerritos College alumni earn a median salary of $9,000 more per year compared to their peers with a high school diploma. Students who go on to earn a bachelor’s degree see even greater returns, earning an average of $30,000 more per year, according to research by the L.A. Regional Consortium and Lightcast. 

“Cerritos College’s work goes beyond graduation. We are here to transform the lives of our students by providing access to affordable, high-quality programs that deliver lasting results for them, their families, and their communities,” said Dr. Jose Fierro, President/Superintendent of Cerritos College. “For our students, you don’t just earn a degree or certificate, you get the skills and opportunities to earn thousands more every year. That’s the kind of return on investment that creates social and economic mobility for our community.” 

Cerritos College collaborates closely with local industries to align its programs with future workforce needs, directly connecting students to high-paying, in-demand careers in healthcare, manufacturing, technology, and business. The college is enhancing its online tools to provide prospective and current students with clear, accessible information on program costs, completion rates, and post-graduation earnings, making it easier for students to choose a path that yields a return on investment. 

The Golden Return report underscores a core belief at Cerritos College: affordable, high-quality education is the most direct path to social and economic mobility. For thousands of students each year, Cerritos College proves that higher earnings don’t have to come with higher debt; they just need the right start. 

To view the full Golden Returns report, visit: https://collegefutures.org/golden-returns-2-year-roi.