At $45,587/yr net price, Career Care Institute graduates earn $39,888/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $5,888/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $45,587 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $182,348 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $39,888/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$5,888/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 31 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 71.8% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $16,625 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $44,317/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $45,218/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $46,539/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $48,839/yr |
| $110,001+ | $49,518/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants. | Certificate | $33,807 | $17,246 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Certificate | $25,691 | $9,500 |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Certificate | $24,035 | $7,600 |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions. | Certificate | $19,410 | $7,424 |
The Risk Factor
71.8% of students at Career Care Institute graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 28% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
Career Care Institute charges $45,587 a year in net price while graduates earn a median of $39,888 a decade after enrolling. That gap is the whole story here. You are paying more for one year than you make in one year after finishing, and this is a two-year institution, so the total cost stacks up fast against thin earnings.
Every program listed is a certificate, not a degree. The nursing certificate pays the most at $33,807, but you take on $17,246 in debt to get there, and that salary still sits below the school-wide median. The dental support certificate is the worst deal on the list: under $20,000 a year in earnings, which is close to full-time minimum-wage territory in California. Allied health and medical assisting certificates land in the mid-$20,000s. None of these paths clears the median debt comfortably against what you earn.
The specific risk here is the price. Net price barely moves by income, from $44,317 if your family makes under $30,000 to $49,518 if it makes over $110,000. Low-income families get almost no break, so you pay nearly the sticker figure no matter what you earn. Over half of students receive Pell Grants, meaning many of you come from families with limited resources, and this pricing hits you hardest.
The 71.8% graduation rate is the one bright spot: you are likely to finish. But finishing a certificate that pays low-$20,000s to low-$30,000s does not justify $45,000-plus per year.
This school makes financial sense only if you get the nursing certificate, need to start working quickly, and have a specific local job lined up. For anyone else, a community college certificate in the same fields will get you similar earnings for a fraction of the cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Career Care Institute worth the cost?
Career Care Institute's graduates earn $39,888 annually after 10 years, which is low compared to the $45,587 yearly cost. The return on investment is poor for most students, especially considering the high net price.
Which Career Care Institute programs have the best job prospects?
Practical Nursing offers the highest earnings at $33,807 annually, but even this top program pays significantly less than the school's annual cost. Allied health programs typically start around $19,000-$25,000 per year.
How much debt do Career Care Institute students typically have?
The median debt is $16,625, which is relatively manageable. However, with low graduate earnings averaging under $40,000, even this modest debt load creates financial stress for many graduates.
What percentage of Career Care Institute students actually graduate?
About 72% of students graduate, which is decent for a career college. The bigger concern is whether graduates can find jobs that justify the high tuition costs.