Humiliation for hundreds of California colleges whose alumni earn less than high school grads

New York Post ^ | July 16, 2026 | Nina Joudeh

[MinorityRepublican]

Hundreds of California college programs are facing renewed scrutiny after federal data revealed that many graduates earn less than those with only a high school diploma, placing these schools at risk of losing federal student loan access unless their outcomes improve.

A new federal requirement that took effect this month requires colleges, universities and certificate programs to prove graduates earn at least as much as the median worker in their state with only a high school diploma.

In California, that benchmark is about $18 an hour, or roughly $36,000 a year.

An analysis by Michael Itzkowitz — president of the HEA Group — found about 90% of nearly 3,000 California higher education programs met that standard.

Yet about 300 programs missed the mark, with many concentrated in fields such as cosmetology, medical assisting, theater, and fine arts.

If these programs continue to fall short of the earnings benchmark, students could lose access to federal loans as early as July 1, 2028. Schools, however, still have at least two years to boost graduate earnings.

Many of the underperforming programs are run by for-profit colleges, institutions that have already been under the microscope for years over concerns of student outcomes and high tuition costs.

Public institutions also made the list, with theater and fine arts programs at eight California State University campuses and three University of California campuses coming under fire.

Over 30 California programs in fine arts, music, theater, film, and photography failed to pass the new earnings test.

By comparison, about 100 similar programs cleared the federal bar, such as UC Berkeley’s film program and fine arts programs at San Diego City College and the University of Southern California, where graduates reported earning over $70,000 four years after graduation.

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TOPICS: Education
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[Organic Panic]

Most college programs are job programs for idiots with useless degrees AND only exist so the AA tribe can get a useless degree who have no business being in college.

[Organic Panic]

One thing the progs mistakenly assume is that EVERYONE hates their job and their boss. Even my first entry level jobs in high school were fun. Now, near 60 years old, my ‘job’ is very fun. Everyone I know likes their job.

[ProtectOurFreedom]

Yep —> “...those graduates are likely to end up being teachers which are needed to continue the cycle of forcing taxpayers to subsidize non-viable areas.”

But far worse than just “non-viable.” Continue the cycle of all the destructive DEI, not-for-profits, BLM, antifa, civil unrest, etc. Those people are dedicated to our destruction. That’s what galls me — we pay to train these useless leeches to destroy us.

[packagingguy]

Cosmetology is usually a 16 month program plus another six months for aestheticians license.

So that’s basically community college.

[sopo]

thank you

[chopperk]

Medical Doctors are terribly inadequate in Ca. The nurses are medically trained well above Ca. doctors.

[jagusafr]

Mike Rowe, pick up the white courtesy phone, please…

[EVO X]

I live in a flyover metro area. Big box stores are paying ~$18 per hour to start. If you are full time it is likely the job comes with full benefits including night courses at the the local community college.

[married21]

I strongly believe in the benefit of double majors and also minors. Yes, Early French basket weaving is cool, IF you have another major that gives you a skill people will pay good money for. So, we should not subsidize non-remunerative degrees, but they are welcome in the curriculum. I still think a 4year college should provide a liberal education (in the 19th C meaning of the word. It is great for helping citizens think and become pillars of the community. It undergirded the minds of our great forefathers. But it’s not a career path for most.