At $19,920/yr net price, Career Technical Institute graduates earn $30,227/yr within 10 years of enrollment.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $19,920 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $79,680 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $30,227/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | $-3,773/yr |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 55.8% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $7,917 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $19,818/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $19,968/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $20,268/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | Certificate | $19,995 | $9,500 |
| Business Operations Support and Assistant Services. | Certificate | $19,455 | |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Certificate | $17,067 | $9,500 |
| Hospitality Administration/Management. | Certificate | $16,246 | $7,917 |
The Risk Factor
55.8% of students at Career Technical Institute graduate within 6 years. More than half of students finish, but the dropout rate is a real factor in whether this investment pays off.
Analysis
The financial return at Career Technical Institute is weak. You pay close to $20,000 a year, and ten years out the median graduate earns just over $30,000. That is barely above what many jobs pay without any credential at all, and it leaves little room to recover what you spent getting there.
Every program here is a certificate, not a degree. The best-paying one, health and medical administrative services, still lands you under $20,000 a year, with $9,500 in debt attached. Allied health and medical assisting pays even less, around $17,000, and carries the same debt load. Hospitality management sits at the bottom near $16,000. None of these certificates pushes graduate earnings into a range that clears the cost of attendance quickly.
The specific risk here is that the price is high for what you get. A $9,500 debt on a medical assisting certificate that pays $17,000 a year is a tight ratio. The 55.8% graduation rate means close to half of you may leave without finishing, still owing money and holding no credential.
The net price barely moves by income. Families earning under $30,000 pay about the same $19,800 as families earning up to $75,000. There is no meaningful sliding scale here, so a low income does not lower your bill.
This school makes sense for you only if you want a specific short-term certificate, can finish fast, and have a clear job lined up in DC-area medical administration or medical assisting. If you are looking for earnings that grow over time or a degree that opens more doors, look elsewhere. The certificates here do not pay enough to justify a $20,000 annual price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Career Technical Institute worth the cost?
Career Technical Institute's graduates earn $30,227 annually after 10 years, which is low compared to the $19,920 yearly cost. With only a 55.80% graduation rate, nearly half of students don't complete their programs.
What are the best paying programs at Career Technical Institute?
Health and Medical Administrative Services offers the highest earning potential at $19,995 annually, followed by Business Operations Support at $19,455. All top programs still produce below-average wages for college graduates.
How much debt do Career Technical Institute graduates have?
Graduates typically owe $7,917 in student loans, which is relatively manageable. However, the low earning potential of $30,227 annually means debt payments will consume a significant portion of income.
Does Career Technical Institute have good job placement rates?
While specific job placement data isn't available, the 10-year earnings of $30,227 suggest many graduates struggle to find well-paying positions. The low graduation rate of 55.80% also indicates completion challenges.