The HEA Group
October 28, 2026
A briefing for state leaders and reporters: what graduates of certificate, associate’s, and bachelor’s programs typically earn, how that compares with the rest of the country, and which fields are driving the results.
Three takeaways
- California has an earnings premium in the top half of states. Graduates of its certificate, associate’s, and bachelor’s programs typically earn $63,154 four years after finishing, 75% more than a high school graduate in the state ($36,082). That ranks 23rd among the 50 states and D.C.; the national premium is 76%.
- California’s top-ranked programs compared with other states:
- Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (bachelor’s degree): 1st of 51 states
- Civil Engineering (bachelor’s degree): 1st of 51 states
- Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing (associate’s degree): 1st of 50 states
- A modest share of graduates finished programs that pay less than a high school diploma. 20,069 graduates (7.3% of those in the data) completed one of 32 college programs with typical earnings below $36,082. Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services (certificate or diploma) accounts for 51% of them, with typical earnings of $25,821. Nationally, 6.2% of graduates are in programs below their state’s benchmark.