At $14,150/yr net price, Alexandria Technical & Community College graduates earn $49,393/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $15,393/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $14,150 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $56,600 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $49,393/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$15,393/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 3.7 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 60.5% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $12,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $10,722/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $10,618/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $12,341/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $15,922/yr |
| $110,001+ | $17,977/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Associate | $54,536 | $16,000 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Certificate | $51,773 | |
| Electromechanical Instrumentation and Maintenance Technologies/Technicians. | Associate | $50,856 | $12,000 |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies. | Associate | $47,260 | $12,000 |
| Precision Metal Working. | Certificate | $46,018 | $5,500 |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions. | Associate | $40,945 | |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Associate | $39,729 | $12,000 |
| Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians. | Associate | $38,289 | |
| Ground Transportation. | Certificate | $38,289 | |
| Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications. | Associate | $37,568 |
The Risk Factor
60.5% of students at Alexandria Technical & Community College graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 40% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
Alexandria Technical & Community College gives you a solid financial return for a two-year public school. You leave with median debt around a single semester of many four-year schools, and median earnings clear what most associate-holders see a decade out. The math works because debt stays low and the school's strongest programs feed directly into Minnesota jobs.
Nursing is the clear winner here. It pays the most of any program listed, and even with the highest debt load on campus, you still come out ahead on earnings. The trades track close behind: electromechanical maintenance, vehicle repair, and precision metalworking all land in the high $40Ks. Precision metalworking is the quiet best deal , you finish a certificate carrying the least debt of any program and still earn near $46K. Criminal justice pays well as a certificate too.
The main risk is completion. A 60.5% graduation rate means four in ten of you leave without the credential, and the debt does not disappear when the degree does. These are hands-on, sequenced programs. if life pulls you out midway, you carry the cost without the earnings bump.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families here. If your family earns under $48K, you pay roughly $10,600 a year. That climbs steadily as income rises, topping out near $18K for families over $110K. So the sticker cost hits higher-income families hardest, while the aid-adjusted price stays manageable at the bottom.
This school fits you if you want a specific trade or nursing credential and plan to work in the region afterward. Look elsewhere if you want a broad liberal-arts path or a bachelor's-level career , the payoff data here is built around applied associate degrees and certificates, and that is where the money is.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Alexandria Technical & Community College worth the cost?
Alexandria Technical & Community College offers solid value with a low net price of $14,150 and median debt of just $12,000. Graduates earn $49,393 after 10 years, which provides a reasonable return on investment for a two-year program.
What are the best paying programs at Alexandria Technical & Community College?
Nursing programs lead earnings at Alexandria Technical & Community College, with registered nursing graduates earning $54,536 annually. Criminal justice ($51,773) and electromechanical instrumentation ($50,856) also offer strong earning potential relative to the low program costs.
How much debt do Alexandria Technical & Community College students graduate with?
Alexandria Technical & Community College graduates carry a median debt of $12,000, which is manageable compared to many schools. With annual net costs around $14,150, students can often complete programs with minimal borrowing.
What is the graduation rate at Alexandria Technical & Community College?
Alexandria Technical & Community College has a 60.5% graduation rate. While not exceptional, this rate is typical for community colleges and the low debt burden reduces financial risk for students who don't complete their programs.