At $15,727/yr net price, ASPIRA City College graduates earn $34,857/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $857/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $15,727 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $62,908 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $34,857/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$857/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 73.4 years |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $15,727/yr |
Analysis
ASPIRA City College is a poor financial bet. As a two-year private-nonprofit school in Philadelphia, you pay a private-college net price of roughly $16k a year, but median earnings ten years out land under $35k. That gap is the core problem: you take on private-tuition costs for wages that barely clear entry-level for a two-year credential in the region.
The net price data hides the biggest risk. Families earning under $30k still pay the full $15,727 , there is no discount tier for low-income households here. With nearly three in four students receiving Pell Grants, most of you come from lower-income families, yet the price does not drop to meet that. You cover the difference with loans, and the earnings on the back end make repayment hard.
No bachelor-level or program-specific salary data is listed, so there is no field here that clearly pays off over another. That absence is itself a warning: you cannot point to a major that reliably justifies the cost.
This school makes financial sense only if your tuition is covered by outside grants or an employer, or if the specific program leads directly to a job you already have lined up. If you are paying with loans and hoping the credential lifts your income, the median outcome says it likely will not.
Look at Philadelphia's public two-year and community-college options first. You can get a similar or better wage outcome at a fraction of this net price. Only choose ASPIRA if you have a concrete reason the price is offset for you , the raw numbers do not support borrowing to attend.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is ASPIRA City College worth the cost?
With graduates earning around $35,000 ten years after enrollment and a net price of $15,727 annually, ASPIRA City College delivers below-average financial returns. The school's open admission policy means you're guaranteed entry, but the earnings data suggests limited career advancement potential.
What is the return on investment for ASPIRA City College?
ASPIRA City College graduates earn about $35,000 annually a decade after starting school, which is well below the national average for college graduates. At roughly $63,000 for a four-year degree, students face a lengthy payback period with modest earning potential.
How much debt do ASPIRA City College students typically graduate with?
While specific debt figures vary by student, the annual net price of $15,727 means students could accumulate significant debt relative to their post-graduation earning power of around $35,000. This creates a challenging debt-to-income ratio that may strain finances after graduation.
Which programs at ASPIRA City College have the best job prospects?
The school's overall graduate earnings average $35,000 annually, suggesting most programs lead to entry-level positions with limited growth potential. Students should research specific program outcomes and local job market demand before enrolling.