For Immediate Release
06/19/13

California Community Colleges debut Salary Surfer Website

(Stockton)
California community college leaders joined Chancellor Brice W. Harris to announce the groundbreaking new online “Salary Surfer” website at a media briefing June 19 at Grossmont College in El Cahon. Salary Surfer will allow students and the public to view the aggregated median earnings of those who complete a certificate or degree in 179 of the most widely enrolled programs at California community colleges, and then enters the workforce.

The Salary Surfer website allows visitors to select a program of study, and then view annual median salaries by degrees or certificates in that area. The income information is broken out by how much community college students earned (on average) two years before they received a degree or certificate, and then two years and five years after they reached their goal. The site will not include data for students who transfer to a four-year institution or who are self-employed.

Dr. Kathy Hart, Superintendent/President of San Joaquin Delta College, is enthusiastic about the new online tool. “The website will emphasize that California community colleges produce a tremendous return on investment for our students and state. Site data shows that students who earn an Associate Degree more than double their annual pre-degree earnings after just two years in the workforce, and then triple their earnings after five years.”

Chancellor Brice Harris cautions current and incoming students: “Future earnings potential can be valuable when determining which education discipline to pursue.  However, Salary Surfer should not be the sole determining factor. The student’s interests, previous academic experiences and aptitudes should be taken into consideration. Students are advised to visit their counseling office to develop an educational plan that’s right for you, one that leads to a fulfilling career.”

The Salary Surfer Website joins the recent rollout of the Student Success Scorecard, a performance measurement system that tracks student success at all 112 community colleges. Chancellor Harris emphasizes, “With the release of Salary Surfer and the  Student Success Scorecard websites, the California Community College System has become the most transparent and accountable system of higher education in the nation.”

The Salary Surfer website is available at:

Salarysurfer.cccco.edu

Chancellor Brice W. Harris introduces the Salary Surfer Website (Video):
http://californiacommunitycolleges.cccco.edu/videoblog.aspx

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