At $12,347/yr net price, Barstow Community College graduates earn $35,104/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $1,104/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $12,347 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $49,388 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $35,104/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$1,104/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 44.7 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 33.3% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $3,500 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $12,140/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $12,029/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $13,871/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $15,648/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Social Sciences, General. | Associate | $26,353 |
The Risk Factor
33.3% of students at Barstow 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
Barstow Community College leaves you with a weak financial return, and the numbers are honest about it. Median earnings ten years out sit at $35,104, and a graduation rate of one in three means most people who enroll here don't finish. Those two facts define the risk: you're paying for a credential you have a two-thirds chance of not completing, and even if you do, the earnings payoff is modest.
The one program with reported earnings data, Social Sciences at the associate level, pays about $26,353 a year. That's below the school's overall median earnings, so a Social Sciences associate degree here is not a path to strong income. There's no bachelor-level program data to point you toward anything higher-earning, which limits what you can plan around.
The debt picture is the redeeming part. Median debt of $3,500 is low, so you're unlikely to leave buried under loans. If you go, keeping borrowing near that level matters, because the earnings won't support paying off much more.
The net price tiers work against lower expectations here. Families under $48k pay slightly less, around $12,000, but the price climbs to $15,648 once household income passes $75k. There's no steep discount at the bottom, so a low-income family still faces over $12,000 a year with no guarantee of a degree.
This school is a reasonable financial fit if you live in the Barstow area, plan to transfer to a four-year school, and want to keep debt minimal while doing early coursework cheaply. It's a poor fit if you're counting on the associate degree alone to raise your income, given the low completion rate and sub-$27k program earnings. If a career-ending associate credential is your goal, look at programs with better earnings data before committing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Barstow Community College worth the cost?
With a net price of $12,347 and graduates earning only $35,104 after 10 years, Barstow Community College offers poor return on investment. The low graduation rate of 33% means two-thirds of students don't finish, making it a risky financial choice.
How much debt do Barstow Community College graduates have?
The median debt at Barstow Community College is $3,500, which is relatively low for college debt. However, with graduate earnings of just $35,104, even this modest debt burden may be difficult to repay quickly.
What are the best paying programs at Barstow Community College?
Social Sciences and General Studies are the top programs at Barstow Community College, but graduates in these fields earn only $26,353 annually. This is significantly below the national average and makes most programs poor investments.
Should I attend Barstow Community College for financial aid?
While financial aid may reduce your costs at Barstow Community College, the school's 33% graduation rate and low graduate earnings of $35,104 suggest limited career benefits. Consider schools with better completion rates and earning outcomes.