At $7,561/yr net price, Bucks County Community College graduates earn $47,324/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $13,324/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $7,561 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $30,244 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $47,324/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$13,324/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 2.3 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 28.4% |
| 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 | $5,209/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $5,857/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $8,132/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $11,392/yr |
| $110,001+ | $12,864/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 | $62,579 | $18,750 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Certificate | $52,107 | |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants. | Certificate | $50,856 | $14,950 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Associate | $38,289 | $10,169 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Associate | $32,708 | $10,807 |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services. | Associate | $25,967 | |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Associate | $25,774 | $11,500 |
| Psychology, General. | Associate | $18,087 | $10,469 |
The Risk Factor
28.4% of students at Bucks County 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
Bucks County Community College gives you a low-cost entry point with a payoff that depends almost entirely on which program you pick. At roughly $7,561 a year with a $12,000 median debt load, the financial exposure here is small. Median earnings ten years out sit in the high $40,000s, which is solid for a two-year school but hides a wide gap between programs.
Nursing is where the money is. The associate nursing track pays over $62,000, and even the practical nursing and allied health certificates clear $50,000. That's real money against a debt figure that stays under $19,000 for the associate nurses. If you can get into and finish a health program here, this school pays off cleanly.
The other side is stark. Business administration graduates earn under $33,000, and criminal justice lands around $38,000. Those are close to what you might make without the degree, so the return on those associate programs is thin. Pick one of them and you're paying real time and money for a modest bump.
The biggest risk here is finishing at all. The graduation rate is 28 percent, so most people who enroll don't complete. Debt without a credential is the worst outcome, and it's the most likely one statistically. That's the number to take seriously before you enroll.
If your family earns under $48,000, you pay under $6,000 a year, making the low-debt nursing path a strong bet. Above $110,000, net price roughly doubles to nearly $13,000, which still beats most four-year options but narrows the advantage. This school fits you if you're targeting a health credential and can commit to finishing. If you want a business or criminal justice degree, weigh the weak earnings against transferring to a four-year program instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Bucks County Community College worth the cost?
With a net price of $7,561 per year and median debt of only $12,000, Bucks County Community College offers solid value for nursing and allied health programs that lead to $50,000+ salaries. However, the 28% graduation rate means many students don't finish, and some programs like business administration only lead to $32,708 median earnings.
What are the best paying programs at Bucks County Community College?
Registered nursing leads with $62,579 median earnings, followed by allied health diagnostic programs at $52,107. Practical nursing also pays well at $50,856, while criminal justice ($38,289) and business administration ($32,708) offer lower returns.
How much debt do Bucks County Community College graduates have?
The median debt is $12,000, which is manageable compared to four-year colleges. This low debt load helps make the ROI positive for most health-related programs, though students in lower-paying fields may still struggle to justify the cost.
What is the graduation rate at Bucks County Community College?
Only 28.4% of students graduate, meaning more than 7 out of 10 students don't complete their programs. This low completion rate is a major risk factor that potential students should consider seriously before enrolling.