At $25,225/yr net price, Charter College graduates earn $35,504/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $1,504/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $25,225 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $100,900 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $35,504/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$1,504/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 67.1 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 57.5% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $14,176 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $23,949/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $24,192/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $25,862/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $29,653/yr |
| $110,001+ | $30,290/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 | $68,499 | $27,583 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Bachelor | $59,169 | |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants. | Certificate | $44,170 | |
| Construction Trades, General. | Associate | $44,170 | $12,562 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $37,208 | |
| Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management. | Certificate | $36,312 | $13,843 |
| Computer Science. | Associate | $35,600 | |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR). | Certificate | $35,258 | $14,750 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | Bachelor | $33,281 | $45,100 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Certificate | $31,799 |
The Risk Factor
57.5% of students at Charter College 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
Charter College delivers poor financial returns for most students, with median earnings of just $35,504 ten years after graduation despite a $25,225 annual price tag. Only nursing programs justify the cost, with registered nurses earning $68,499 annually, though you'll graduate with $27,583 in debt.
Computer and information sciences graduates earn $59,169, making it the second-best financial bet at Charter. Construction trades also works financially, producing $44,170 salaries with manageable $12,562 debt loads. These three programs represent your only viable paths to positive returns.
Business administration graduates earn just $37,208, barely above the school median and insufficient to justify Charter's costs. With Alaska's limited job market outside healthcare and skilled trades, most other programs leave you financially worse off than skipping college entirely.
Charter's 57% graduation rate creates additional risk. Nearly half of students never finish, meaning you could accumulate debt without earning a degree. The school's for-profit status also limits transfer options if you want to switch schools.
You should only consider Charter if you're committed to nursing, computer science, or construction trades and plan to work in Alaska's specialized economy. The nursing program's strong earnings potential makes sense for healthcare-focused students, while construction trades aligns with Alaska's infrastructure needs.
Skip Charter entirely if you're interested in business or liberal arts programs. Community colleges offer better value for general education, while Alaska's public universities provide superior returns across most fields. Charter works only for students with clear career goals in its three financially viable programs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Charter College worth the cost?
Charter College's graduates earn $35,504 ten years after enrollment, which is low compared to the $25,225 annual cost. The nursing programs offer better returns with RN graduates earning $68,499, but other programs struggle to justify the investment.
What are the best paying programs at Charter College?
Registered nursing leads Charter College earnings at $68,499, followed by computer science at $59,169. Business and construction programs pay around $37,000-44,000, which barely covers the cost of attendance.
How much student debt do Charter College graduates have?
Charter College graduates carry a median debt of $14,176, which is manageable for nursing graduates but problematic for lower-earning programs. With a 57% graduation rate, many students take on debt without completing their degree.
Should I attend Charter College for business or trade programs?
Charter College's business and construction programs produce graduates earning $37,000-44,000, which provides minimal return on the $25,225 annual tuition. These programs offer poor value compared to community college alternatives or other vocational schools.