At $12,133/yr net price, Blue Mountain Community College graduates earn $38,375/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $4,375/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $12,133 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $48,532 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $38,375/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$4,375/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 11.1 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 22.8% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $12,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $10,592/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $10,853/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $12,185/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $14,416/yr |
| $110,001+ | $15,463/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Associate | $23,340 | $14,259 |
| Agricultural Production Operations. | Associate | $21,894 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Associate | $20,140 |
The Risk Factor
22.8% of students at Blue Mountain 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
Blue Mountain Community College leaves you with modest debt, around $12,000 at the median, but the payoff is weak. Ten years out, median earnings sit at $38,375, which is low even by two-year college standards. The bigger problem is the 22.80% graduation rate: fewer than one in four of you finish, and the earnings and debt figures above mostly describe people who did.
The program-level numbers make the picture worse. The three top programs by earnings here are all associate degrees, and none of them clears $24,000 a year. Liberal Arts and General Studies leads at $23,340 but carries the highest debt of the group at $14,259, so you pay more to earn the most and still land under $24k. Agricultural Production fits the Pendleton region's farm economy and comes in at $21,894 with no debt figure listed, making it the cleaner bet if you plan to work locally. Business Administration trails at $20,140. If you want a degree that pays, none of these three gets you there on its own.
The net price tiers are unusually flat. If your family earns under $30k, you pay $10,592. if it earns over $110k, you pay $15,463. That $4,871 gap is small, so higher-income families here get little price break and lower-income families still owe more than $10k a year against sub-$24k program earnings.
This school is a reasonable financial fit if you're staying in the Pendleton area, going into agriculture, and treating it as a low-cost first step before transferring. If you need a credential that stands on its own or you're borrowing to attend without a transfer plan, look elsewhere. The finish rate alone makes betting on this school risky.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Blue Mountain Community College worth the cost compared to other schools?
Blue Mountain Community College offers a relatively affordable education at $12,133 per year, but graduates earn only $38,375 after 10 years, which is below the national average for college graduates. The low graduation rate of 23% also raises concerns about completion rates.
What are the best paying programs at Blue Mountain Community College?
Liberal Arts and Sciences graduates from Blue Mountain Community College earn the highest at $23,340 annually, followed by Agricultural Production Operations at $21,894. Business programs pay around $20,140, which are all relatively modest salaries.
How much debt do Blue Mountain Community College students typically graduate with?
Blue Mountain Community College graduates carry a median debt of $12,000, which is manageable compared to four-year institutions. However, with starting salaries around $20,000-$23,000 for most programs, even this modest debt may take several years to pay off.
Does Blue Mountain Community College have good job placement rates?
Blue Mountain Community College has a concerning graduation rate of only 23%, meaning most students don't complete their programs. While the school doesn't publish specific job placement data, the low completion rate suggests many students struggle to finish their studies.