At $13,328/yr net price, Cabrillo College graduates earn $44,114/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $10,114/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $13,328 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $53,312 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $44,114/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$10,114/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 5.3 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 38.1% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $14,380 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $11,951/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $12,688/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $14,439/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $19,583/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. | Certificate | $73,635 | $15,000 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Certificate | $67,101 | |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions. | Certificate | $66,941 | |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Certificate | $36,674 | |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Certificate | $29,685 | |
| Business/Commerce, General. | Certificate | $27,439 |
The Risk Factor
38.1% of students at Cabrillo 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
Cabrillo College gives you a mixed financial picture that leans heavily on which health program you pick. Median earnings ten years out land at $44,114, which sits just above where a debt load of $14,380 stays manageable. That debt is low for a reason: this is a two-year public school, and you can finish without borrowing much.
The health certificates carry this school. Nursing pays nearly $73,635, and the diagnostic and dental certificates both clear $66,000. These are certificate-level outcomes, not degrees, and they roughly double the college-wide median. If you come to Cabrillo for nursing or an allied health credential, the return is strong even after paying $15,000 in nursing-related debt.
Outside health, the math gets weak. The accounting certificate reports $36,674 and medical assisting $29,685, both below the school's overall median and close to what you might earn without the credential. If those fields draw you, the payoff here is thin.
The biggest risk is the 38% graduation rate. Most students who enroll do not finish, and a certificate you never complete leaves you with cost and no earnings bump. Your return depends on actually finishing a health program.
Net price tells a clear story by income. If your family earns under $48,000, you pay around $12,000 a year. Above $75,000, that jumps to $19,583, a real gap that makes Cabrillo a stronger deal for lower-income families.
This school fits you if you want a health credential and can commit to finishing. If you are set on accounting, medical assisting, or a general path with no clear career target, look at the completion odds and weaker earnings before you enroll.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cabrillo College worth the cost?
Cabrillo College offers solid value for students who complete nursing or allied health programs, which earn $66,000-$73,000 annually. However, the 38% graduation rate means many students don't finish, and general program graduates earn just $44,114 per year.
What programs at Cabrillo College have the best return on investment?
Nursing programs at Cabrillo College provide the strongest ROI, with registered nursing graduates earning $73,635 annually. Allied health and dental support programs also pay well at $66,000-$67,000, making them worth the $13,328 annual cost.
How much debt do Cabrillo College students graduate with?
Cabrillo College graduates carry a median debt of $14,380, which is manageable for nursing and health program graduates but may be challenging for other majors earning around $44,000 annually.
What is the graduation rate at Cabrillo College and why does it matter?
Only 38% of students graduate from Cabrillo College, meaning 6 out of 10 students don't complete their programs. This creates significant risk of taking on debt without earning a degree that improves job prospects.