At $5,899/yr net price, Allen County Community College graduates earn $40,059/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $6,059/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $5,899 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $23,596 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $40,059/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$6,059/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 3.9 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 39.1% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $6,954 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $4,334/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $5,787/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $7,101/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $7,182/yr |
| $110,001+ | $6,949/yr |
The Risk Factor
39.1% of students at Allen County Community College graduate within 6 years. Fewer than half of students complete their degree. If you don't graduate, the financial investment may not pay off.
Analysis
Allen County Community College gives you a low-cost, low-debt path with modest earnings on the other side. You borrow a median of $6,954 to get through, and ten years out the typical graduate earns about $40,000. That debt figure is small enough that repayment stays manageable even on that salary, which is the core of the school's financial case.
The risk here is completion. Fewer than four in ten students finish, and if you leave without a credential you still carry whatever you borrowed with none of the earnings bump. At a two-year school, the credential is the whole point, so your personal odds of finishing matter more than any average on this page. If you're likely to transfer or drop, the low sticker price stops protecting you.
No bachelor-level program earnings are listed for Allen, so treat this as a transfer-and-associate school. The financial win comes from knocking out general-education credits cheaply before moving to a four-year school, or from a workforce credential tied to local jobs. Don't expect the $40,000 median to jump on its own without a transfer or a licensed trade behind it.
The net price tiers are unusual: if your family earns under $30,000, you pay the least, around $4,300, while middle-income families in the $48,000 to $110,000 range pay the most, above $7,000. Lower-income families get the strongest deal here. If you're in the middle-income band, the gap between what you and a poorer classmate pay is real, so compare this against your in-district four-year options.
Allen is a good fit if you want to start college cheap, stay near Iola, and transfer with little debt. Look elsewhere if you need a bachelor's-level career program on site or if you're at high risk of not finishing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Allen County Community College worth the cost?
Allen County Community College offers reasonable value with a low net price of $5,899 per year and modest debt levels around $7,000. However, the 39% graduation rate is concerning and typical earnings of $40,000 after 10 years are below average for college graduates.
What is the average debt for Allen County Community College graduates?
Allen County Community College graduates have a median debt of $6,954, which is relatively low compared to most colleges. This manageable debt load helps offset the lower earning potential after graduation.
Do Allen County Community College graduates get good jobs?
Allen County Community College graduates earn around $40,000 annually 10 years after starting college, which is below the national average for college graduates. The school's low graduation rate of 39% also suggests many students don't complete their programs.
What programs at Allen County Community College have the best ROI?
Allen County Community College focuses on vocational and technical training, but specific program outcomes aren't widely reported. Given the rural Kansas location, programs aligned with local industries like agriculture, healthcare support, or skilled trades likely offer the best job prospects.