At $6,053/yr net price, Black River Technical College graduates earn $34,818/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $818/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $6,053 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $24,212 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $34,818/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$818/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 29.6 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 33.6% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $9,500 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $4,070/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $6,082/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $9,670/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $12,393/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 | $55,547 | $12,931 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Associate | $32,925 | |
| Precision Metal Working. | Certificate | $29,141 | |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other. | Associate | $25,967 | $10,018 |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies. | Certificate | $22,329 | |
| Business Operations Support and Assistant Services. | Associate | $21,850 | |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Associate | $20,561 | $8,615 |
The Risk Factor
33.6% of students at Black River 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
Black River Technical College runs on low cost and one strong program. You borrow a median of $9,500 and pay just over $6,000 a year, so the debt side stays manageable. But the median graduate earns under $35,000 ten years out, and the 33.6% graduation rate means two of every three students who start don't finish. That combination sets the terms: this school pays off if you pick the right program and actually complete it.
Nursing is the reason to come here. The associate nursing track pays about $55,500, roughly $22,000 more than the next-best associate program in allied health. That gap is the whole story. Everything else clusters low. Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies pays under $26,000 against $10,000 in debt, and the vehicle maintenance certificate lands around $22,300. Precision Metal Working, at roughly $29,000, gives you the strongest return among the certificates. If nursing isn't your path and you can't get into a skilled trade with real local demand, the earnings here don't clear far above what you'd make without the credential.
The main risk is finishing. A one-in-three completion rate means the biggest financial danger isn't debt, it's paying tuition and leaving with no credential and nothing to show for it. Pick a program you'll complete.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families most. Under $30,000 in family income, you pay about $4,070. between $75,000 and $110,000, you pay over $12,000, three times as much. If your family earns under $48,000, the cost stays low enough that even a modest-earning associate degree can work out.
Come here for nursing, or for a trade certificate you're sure you'll finish. If you want a general degree that leads somewhere higher-paying, look elsewhere.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Black River Technical College worth the cost?
Black River Technical College offers a low net price of $6,053 per year, but graduates earn only $34,818 annually after 10 years. The nursing program provides strong returns at $55,547, while other programs like vehicle repair lead to below-average earnings.
What is the graduation rate at Black River Technical College?
Black River Technical College has a 33.6% graduation rate, meaning about two-thirds of students don't complete their programs. This low completion rate creates significant risk that you may accumulate debt without earning a credential.
Which programs at Black River Technical College have the best job prospects?
Registered nursing graduates from Black River Technical College earn $55,547 annually, making it the clear winner for ROI. Allied health programs pay $32,925, while precision metalworking and vehicle repair lead to much lower earnings in the $22,000-29,000 range.
How much student debt do Black River Technical College graduates have?
Black River Technical College graduates leave with a median debt of $9,500, which is relatively manageable. However, with the low graduation rate and modest earnings outside of nursing, many students may struggle to make payments if they don't complete their programs.