At $10,171/yr net price, Baton Rouge Community College graduates earn $34,581/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $581/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $10,171 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $40,684 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $34,581/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$581/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 70 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 27.5% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $12,450 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $9,219/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $9,271/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $11,345/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $14,678/yr |
| $110,001+ | $15,093/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians. | Associate | $89,490 | $10,250 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Associate | $59,402 | $16,712 |
| Construction Management. | Associate | $52,107 | $10,500 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Associate | $50,856 | $11,233 |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants. | Certificate | $41,193 | |
| Precision Metal Working. | Certificate | $36,132 | $13,000 |
| Business/Commerce, General. | Associate | $33,687 | $14,750 |
| Veterinary/Animal Health Technologies/Technicians. | Associate | $30,119 | |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Associate | $28,598 | $19,500 |
| Legal Support Services. | Associate | $26,739 |
The Risk Factor
27.5% of students at Baton Rouge 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
Baton Rouge Community College gives you a mixed financial picture that swings hard on which program you pick. The median graduate earns $34,581 ten years out, which sits below what a single full-time worker needs to comfortably cover a household in Louisiana. But that median hides a wide gap between programs, and the difference decides whether this school pays off for you.
The industrial production technologies associate degree is the clear winner here, with graduates earning nearly triple the school median while carrying almost the lowest debt of any program listed. That pairing of high pay and low borrowing is rare, and it maps onto the petrochemical and industrial base around Baton Rouge. Nursing pays well too, though the registered nursing associate degree comes with the highest debt of any program on this list. Construction management and allied health both clear $50,000 with modest debt, tracking regional demand.
The bigger risk is finishing at all. Only about one in four students graduates, so the strong program earnings only reach you if you complete. If you enroll and drop, you leave with debt and no credential, and the low median earnings figure partly reflects that. Median debt is contained at $12,450, which softens the blow, but no degree makes even that hard to repay.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families and penalize higher ones. If your family earns under $48,000, you pay around $9,200 a year. Above $110,000, that climbs to over $15,000. This school fits you best if you qualify for the lower tiers and enter a technical or nursing track with a clear regional employer. If you want a general transfer path with no committed major, the completion odds and flat earnings make it a weaker bet.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Baton Rouge Community College worth the money?
With a net price of $10,171 annually and graduates earning $34,581 ten years later, the return on investment is modest. The low graduation rate of 27.5% means many students don't complete their programs, which significantly affects the value proposition.
What are the best paying programs at Baton Rouge Community College?
Industrial Production Technologies leads with graduates earning $89,490, followed by Registered Nursing at $59,402. These technical programs offer the strongest financial returns compared to the typical graduate outcome of $34,581.
How much debt do Baton Rouge Community College graduates have?
The median debt is $12,450, which is relatively low for higher education. However, with typical earnings of $34,581 after graduation, debt payments could still strain budgets for many graduates.
Does Baton Rouge Community College have good job placement rates?
The 27.5% graduation rate suggests many students struggle to complete programs, which typically correlates with lower job placement success. Students in high-demand technical fields like industrial production and nursing have better prospects than the overall student body.