At $11,471/yr net price, Anoka-Ramsey Community College graduates earn $48,342/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $14,342/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $11,471 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $45,884 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $48,342/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$14,342/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 3.2 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 24.0% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $13,500 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $9,013/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $10,032/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $11,362/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $13,995/yr |
| $110,001+ | $16,057/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 | $59,268 | $18,169 |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Associate | $40,964 | $16,500 |
| Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications. | Associate | $39,909 | |
| Business/Commerce, General. | Associate | $37,568 | $20,186 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Associate | $36,668 | $20,186 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Associate | $31,650 | $11,724 |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Certificate | $31,314 |
The Risk Factor
24.0% of students at Anoka-Ramsey 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
Anoka-Ramsey Community College gives you a low-debt path with a modest payoff, and the return depends almost entirely on which program you finish. A median debt of $13,500 against $48,342 median earnings ten years out means your loan burden stays manageable if you graduate. The problem is that only about a quarter of students do.
Nursing is the clear winner here. The associate nursing program pays $59,268, roughly $22,000 more than accounting or general business, both of which leave you with over $20,000 in debt for weaker earnings. That gap matters: nursing carries less debt and pays more, while accounting and business pile on the most debt for some of the lowest returns on this list. Allied health and computer networking land in the middle, around $40,000, with lighter debt loads.
The financial risk specific to this school is the 24% graduation rate. Low tuition only pays off if you finish, and most students here don't. If you start a program and drop, you carry debt with no credential to raise your earnings. Business and accounting are the riskiest bets given their high debt and soft salaries.
Your net price barely moves by income. Families under $30k pay $9,013. families over $110k pay $16,057. That flat structure means lower-income families don't get dramatically better pricing than they would elsewhere, but the sticker cost stays low across the board.
This school fits you if you're aiming for nursing or a health credential, want to keep debt low, and can commit to finishing. Look elsewhere if you want a general business or accounting associate degree, since those combine the highest debt with the lowest pay here. Treat this as a place to earn a specific, job-ready credential and transfer out or enter the workforce quickly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Anoka-Ramsey Community College worth the cost?
Anoka-Ramsey's $11,471 annual cost is reasonable, but the 24% graduation rate creates significant risk that you won't finish. The nursing program offers strong earning potential at $59,268, while other programs typically lead to modest salaries in the $36,000-40,000 range.
What programs at Anoka-Ramsey Community College have the best ROI?
Registered nursing provides the strongest return with median earnings of $59,268 after graduation. Computer networking ($39,909) and allied health programs ($40,964) offer decent prospects, while business and accounting programs typically lead to lower-paying positions.
How much debt do Anoka-Ramsey Community College graduates typically have?
Graduates who borrow money typically owe $13,500, which is manageable compared to four-year schools. However, with only 24% of students graduating, many borrowers never complete their programs and struggle to repay loans without a degree.
What are the job prospects after Anoka-Ramsey Community College?
Job prospects depend heavily on your program choice. Nursing graduates earn competitive salaries around $59,000, while most other programs lead to entry-level positions with earnings in the high $30,000s to low $40,000s.