At $9,766/yr net price, Bay de Noc Community College graduates earn $35,090/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $1,090/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $9,766 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $39,064 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $35,090/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$1,090/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 35.8 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 21.4% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $12,618 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $7,835/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $6,819/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $9,695/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $14,235/yr |
| $110,001+ | $15,236/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 | $54,630 | $14,490 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Associate | $37,208 | |
| Precision Metal Working. | Certificate | $33,993 | |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants. | Certificate | $32,711 | |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Associate | $31,907 | $12,000 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | Associate | $26,121 | |
| Business/Commerce, General. | Associate | $16,478 |
The Risk Factor
21.4% of students at Bay de Noc 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
Bay de Noc Community College keeps costs low and debt manageable, but the payoff depends almost entirely on what you study. At $9,766 a year with median debt under $13,000, you won't dig a deep hole. The problem is the exit: median earnings ten years out sit around $35,090, and a graduation rate of 21% means most people who enroll don't finish. That combination is the real risk here.
Nursing is the clear winner. The associate degree in registered nursing pays about $54,630, roughly $20,000 more per year than the liberal arts track and enough to clear the slightly higher debt load nursing students carry. If you come here for the RN program and finish it, the math works cleanly. The practical nursing certificate pays less at $32,711, so aim for the associate degree if you can.
Criminal justice at $37,208 and precision metal working at $33,993 both land above the school median and fit the industrial and public-sector jobs common in the Upper Peninsula. The general liberal arts associate degree pays $31,907, the weakest of the listed programs. Use it as a transfer step toward a four-year degree, not as your endpoint, or the return stays thin.
On price, families earning under $48,000 pay the least, around $6,800 to $7,800 after aid. Above $75,000, net price jumps past $14,000, and over $110,000 you pay roughly double what the lowest earners do. If your family sits in that top tier, weigh whether the earnings outcomes here justify the cost.
This school fits you if you want a nursing, trades, or criminal justice credential and plan to stay in the region. If you're chasing a general associate degree with no clear next step, the low cost won't rescue a weak return.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bay de Noc Community College worth the money?
Bay de Noc Community College offers reasonable value for specific career programs, particularly nursing, which pays $54,630 annually. However, the 21% graduation rate is concerning, and general studies graduates earn only $31,907 compared to the $9,766 annual cost.
What are the best paying programs at Bay de Noc Community College?
Registered nursing programs at Bay de Noc Community College provide the strongest return, with graduates earning $54,630 annually. Criminal justice ($37,208) and precision metalworking ($33,993) also offer decent earnings potential compared to the program costs.
How much debt do Bay de Noc Community College students graduate with?
Bay de Noc Community College graduates carry a median debt of $12,618, which is manageable for nursing and skilled trades programs but may be problematic for liberal arts graduates earning $31,907.
What is the graduation rate at Bay de Noc Community College?
Only 21% of students graduate from Bay de Noc Community College, which is well below average for community colleges. This low completion rate significantly impacts the school's overall value proposition.