At $11,865/yr net price, Barton County Community College graduates earn $40,428/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $6,428/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $11,865 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $47,460 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $40,428/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$6,428/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 7.4 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 42.9% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $9,501 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $11,573/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $9,782/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $12,319/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $13,118/yr |
| $110,001+ | $12,907/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 | $48,432 | |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants. | Certificate | $45,128 | $9,969 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Associate | $23,340 | $8,750 |
The Risk Factor
42.9% of students at Barton County Community College graduate within 6 years. More than half of students finish, but the dropout rate is a real factor in whether this investment pays off.
Analysis
Barton County Community College gives you a modest but low-risk financial return. Median debt sits at $9,501, which is unusually low, and median earnings ten years out land at $40,428. You won't get rich, but you also won't be buried. That combination matters more here than at expensive schools where debt can outrun earnings.
Nursing is where the payoff is real. The associate nursing track earns roughly $48,000, and the practical nursing certificate pays about $45,000 while costing under $10,000 in debt. That certificate is the strongest value on this list: near-nursing pay for a shorter, cheaper credential. If you come here for health care, the numbers work.
The general studies associate degree is the trap. At around $23,340 in earnings, it pays half what nursing does and roughly matches what you might earn without the degree. Treat it as a transfer step to a four-year school, not an endpoint. Ending your education there is the clearest way to lose on this investment.
The main risk is the 42.9% graduation rate. Nearly six in ten students don't finish, and if you take on cost without a credential, you get the debt and none of the earnings bump. Your return here depends entirely on completing, especially in the nursing programs.
The net price tiers are odd. If your family earns under $48,000, you pay less than higher-income families do, with the $30k-$48k bracket paying the least at $9,782. Families over $48,000 actually pay more, topping out above $13,000. So this school is cheapest for lower-income families and offers no discount to middle earners.
Come here for nursing, commit to finishing, and the cost is easy to justify. If you only want a general associate degree with no transfer plan, look elsewhere.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Barton County Community College worth the cost?
Barton County Community College can be worth it if you pursue nursing programs, which lead to median earnings around $45,000-$48,000. Liberal arts graduates earn only $23,340 after 10 years, making those programs harder to justify financially.
What is the return on investment for Barton County Community College?
With a net price of $11,865 per year and 10-year median earnings of $40,428, Barton County Community College offers modest returns that vary significantly by program. Nursing students see much better outcomes than general studies majors.
How much debt do Barton County Community College graduates have?
Barton County Community College graduates have a median debt of $9,501, which is relatively manageable for a community college. However, with the school's 43% graduation rate, many students may accumulate debt without completing their programs.
Which programs at Barton County Community College have the best job prospects?
Registered nursing and practical nursing programs at Barton County Community College offer the strongest job prospects, with graduates earning $45,000-$48,000 annually. Liberal arts and general studies programs show much weaker earning potential at just $23,340.