At $4,632/yr net price, Butte College graduates earn $41,810/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $7,810/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $4,632 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $18,528 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $41,810/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$7,810/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 2.4 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 32.0% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $10,500 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $3,367/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $4,104/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $7,220/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $9,836/yr |
| $110,001+ | $12,770/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 | $90,960 | $12,000 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Certificate | $56,641 | |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Associate | $56,415 | |
| Social Sciences, General. | Associate | $26,739 | $7,500 |
The Risk Factor
32.0% of students at Butte 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
Butte College costs $4,632 a year and leaves you with about $10,500 in debt, one of the cheaper paths into a California credential. The financial return depends almost entirely on which program you pick, and the spread here is wide.
Nursing is the clear winner. The associate nursing program pays around $90,960 ten years out, more than double the school's median earnings and enough to clear the $12,000 in typical nursing debt fast. If you can get into and finish this program, Butte is one of the best deals you'll find at a two-year school. Allied health and the criminal justice certificate both land in the mid-$50,000s, which also justifies the low cost.
The general social sciences associate degree is a different story. At $26,739, it pays less than the school's own median and barely above what you'd earn without it. An associate in social sciences is usually a transfer step, not an endpoint, so treating it as a finish line here loses money.
The biggest risk is finishing at all. Only 32% of students graduate, so the low price only pays off if you're in the third that walks out with a credential. Drop out and you keep the debt without the earnings bump.
Net price stays low across incomes. Under $30k you pay about $3,367. even over $110k it tops out near $12,770, cheaper than most four-year options. Families at every income tier get a real discount here.
Butte is a strong fit if you're aiming for nursing or a health credential and can commit to finishing. Look elsewhere, or plan to transfer, if your goal is a general academic associate degree, since the earnings there don't carry.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Butte College worth the cost?
Butte College offers strong value with a low net price of $4,632 per year and graduates earning $41,810 annually after 10 years. The nursing programs provide excellent returns with median earnings around $91,000, though the 32% graduation rate means many students don't finish.
What are the best paying programs at Butte College?
Registered nursing leads with $90,960 in median earnings, followed by criminal justice at $56,641 and allied health programs at $56,415. Social sciences graduates earn significantly less at $26,739, making program choice critical for ROI.
How much debt do Butte College students graduate with?
Butte College graduates have a median debt of $10,500, which is manageable given the low cost of attendance. Most students can pay this off reasonably quickly with typical post-graduation earnings.
What is the graduation rate at Butte College?
Only 32% of Butte College students graduate, which is a significant concern for ROI. Students should have realistic expectations about completion and consider whether they're prepared for the academic demands.