At $4,176/yr net price, Bates Technical College graduates earn $50,051/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $16,051/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $4,176 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $16,704 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $50,051/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$16,051/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 1 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 29.9% |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $3,340/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $2,319/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $6,006/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $7,572/yr |
| $110,001+ | $13,718/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ground Transportation. | Certificate | $48,432 | |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants. | Associate | $42,682 | |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions. | Associate | $33,993 |
The Risk Factor
29.9% of students at Bates Technical 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
Bates Technical College costs you about $4,176 a year, and ten years out you're earning a median of $50,051. For a public two-year school in Tacoma, that's a solid return on a small upfront cost. The math works because you spend little to get in and the regional job market pays for the trades and health credentials Bates teaches.
The payoffs are uneven by program. Ground Transportation, a certificate, tops the list at $48,432 , meaning a short credential in trucking or transit puts you close to the school-wide median without an associate degree. Practical and vocational nursing pays $42,682 at the associate level, which tracks with steady demand for licensed practical nurses and nursing assistants around Tacoma. Dental Support Services trails at $33,993, so an associate there earns you roughly $9,000 a year less than nursing for similar time invested. If dental support is your plan, know you're at the bottom of the earnings range here.
The real risk is finishing. Only about 30% of students graduate. If you don't complete, you carry whatever cost and time you spent without the credential that drives the earnings above. Bates works best if you're committed to a specific trade or health track and can see it through.
Net price scales sharply with income. Under $48k, you pay around $2,300 to $3,340 a year , genuinely cheap. Between $48k and $75k it jumps to $6,006, and over $110k you pay $13,718, more than triple the lowest tier. Lower-income families get the strongest deal here. higher earners pay close to full freight.
Come to Bates if you want a career credential in transportation or nursing and will finish. Look elsewhere if you need a bachelor's-track path or aren't set on completing a defined program.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bates Technical College worth the cost?
Bates Technical College offers decent value with a low net price of $4,176 per year and graduates earning $50,051 annually after 10 years. However, the 30% graduation rate means many students don't complete their programs, which significantly impacts ROI.
Which programs at Bates Technical College have the best job prospects?
Ground Transportation programs lead earnings at $48,432 annually, followed by Practical Nursing at $42,682. Dental Support programs earn less at $33,993 but still provide reasonable returns given the school's low cost.
What is the graduation rate at Bates Technical College?
Only 30% of students graduate from Bates Technical College. This low completion rate is a major risk factor that prospective students should consider when evaluating the school's value.
How much debt do Bates Technical College graduates typically have?
With a net price of $4,176 per year, students can potentially graduate with minimal debt if they complete their programs quickly. The bigger financial risk comes from not graduating at all, given the school's 30% completion rate.