At $22,581/yr net price, Blue Cliff College-Metairie graduates earn $22,177/yr within 10 years of enrollment.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $22,581 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $90,324 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $22,177/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | $-11,823/yr |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 45.8% |
| 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 | $22,529/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $24,212/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $24,153/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions. | Associate | $23,166 | |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions. | Certificate | $22,444 | $13,910 |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions. | Certificate | $20,771 | $11,935 |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Associate | $18,855 | $21,030 |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions. | Associate | $17,444 | |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Certificate | $17,109 | $9,500 |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services. | Associate | $16,122 | |
| Somatic Bodywork and Related Therapeutic Services. | Associate | $15,895 | |
| Somatic Bodywork and Related Therapeutic Services. | Certificate | $14,692 | $7,885 |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services. | Certificate | $14,475 | $9,855 |
The Risk Factor
45.8% of students at Blue Cliff College-Metairie 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
Blue Cliff College-Metairie does not pay off. You pay $22,581 a year in net price, and ten years after enrolling the median graduate earns $22,177 a year. That means one year of net cost roughly equals a full year of post-graduation income. For a two-year program, you spend more attending than you make in a year of work afterward.
No program here breaks that pattern. The dental support associate degree tops the list at $23,166 a year, barely above the school-wide median and still near poverty wages for a Louisiana adult. The medical assisting associate degree pays $18,855 while carrying $21,030 in debt, the worst combination on the list: low earnings, high borrowing. The medical laboratory associate degree pays even less at $17,444. Certificates in these fields don't help either, and one carries nearly $14,000 in debt against $22,444 in earnings.
The financial risk is concentrated in that gap between cost and reward. Even with median debt at a relatively modest $9,500, the earnings are too low to make repayment comfortable. A 45.8% graduation rate means more than half of you leave without the credential, and if you borrowed to get there, you carry debt with no degree to show for it.
Net price barely moves across income tiers. If your family earns under $30,000, you pay $22,529. if you earn $48,000 to $75,000, you pay $24,153. Lower income does not buy you a meaningful discount here.
This school is a poor financial fit for you if you are borrowing to attend or counting on a wage that covers your costs. If you want a healthcare career with real earning power, price out community college dental hygiene or nursing programs in the New Orleans area before committing here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Blue Cliff College-Metairie worth the cost?
With a net price of $22,581 and median earnings of $22,177 ten years after graduation, Blue Cliff College-Metairie barely breaks even financially. The low graduation rate of 46% means many students pay without finishing their programs.
What are the best paying programs at Blue Cliff College-Metairie?
Dental support services programs offer the highest returns at around $23,000 annually, while medical assisting programs pay closer to $18,000. All programs at Blue Cliff College-Metairie produce earnings below the national average for college graduates.
How much debt do Blue Cliff College-Metairie graduates have?
The median debt load is relatively manageable at $9,500. However, with starting salaries around $22,000, graduates will still face tight budgets even with this lower debt burden.
Does Blue Cliff College-Metairie have good job placement rates?
While specific placement data isn't available, the low graduation rate of 46% suggests many students struggle to complete their programs. This completion rate is well below average for similar vocational schools.