Business at Cabrillo College

Aptos, CA · Public · Certificate · Business/Commerce, General

with a mid-sized student body of 7,404 in Aptos, CA.

Program Analysis

At $31,951/yr, Business graduates from Cabrillo College land near the $36,982 national average — neither a standout nor a red flag.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 419.1x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Business programs nationally.

The 40% gap between optimistic and pessimistic AI scenarios is notable. With 46% of typical tasks exposed to automation, AI adoption could meaningfully shift career outcomes for Business graduates.

At #3 of 130 nationally, this is a top-5% Business program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Five-year earnings of $56,649 show a 77% jump from the $31,951 starting point — strong upward trajectory suggesting real career acceleration in this trade.

Business offers 8 registered apprenticeship pathways — an unusually broad set of earn-while-you-learn alternatives to the classroom track.

82 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
76
Low End
82
Score
84
High End
Earnings $31,951/yr (-14% vs median)
AI-Proof Moderate (54% shielded)
Job Market Very Large (832,900 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$561K
12.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
441.5x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
Viable Career Paths
16 of 16
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.

Program Tuition (In-State)
$1,270
Out-of-state: $9,910
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$56,649
77% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for Business graduates by median salary.

Career Path Median Salary Growth AI-ProofAI
Chief executives $206,420 +4.3% 44%
Sales managers $138,060 +4.7% 55%
Managers, all other $136,550 +4.5% 53%
Chief executives
$206,420
+4.3% growth 44% AI-proof
Sales managers
$138,060
+4.7% growth 55% AI-proof
Managers, all other
$136,550
+4.5% growth 53% AI-proof

View all 16 career paths with full salary data →

Business Career Guide

What can you do with a Business credential from Cabrillo College? Our career guide maps every occupation path with earnings and growth data.

Read the full Business career guide →

Compare & Explore

Business Overview

Business at Other Schools

Other Majors at Cabrillo College

How Does a Bachelor's Degree Compare?

Four-year programs take longer but may unlock different career trajectories. See the data.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Business at Cabrillo College?
At 82/100, this is a high-performing trade program. The TradeSchoolOutlook Score combines earnings, AI resilience, and ROI — and this program delivers on all three.
How vulnerable is Business to AI automation?
With 46% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, this is one of the higher-risk fields. Our pessimistic scenario projects $334,278 in decade earnings vs $560,700 in the optimistic case — a meaningful gap.
What makes Cabrillo College's Business program stand out?
Ranked #3 of 130 programs nationally, Cabrillo College lands in the top 5%. The ranking reflects a combination of graduate earnings, return on investment, and job market alignment.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Business graduates?
If Cabrillo College's tuition gives you pause, consider that 8 DOL-registered apprenticeship pathways exist for Business. You'd earn while training, avoiding student debt entirely — though completion takes longer than a certificate program.
What's the job market like for Business from Cabrillo College?
Job availability for Business is strong — 832,900 positions open annually across the mapped career paths. For Cabrillo College graduates specifically, local market conditions in CA may shift the picture.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →