At $23,878/yr net price, Chester Career College graduates earn $32,650/yr within 10 years of enrollment.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $23,878 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $95,512 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $32,650/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | $-1,350/yr |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 40.0% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $19,879 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $21,237/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $30,480/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $30,480/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants. | Certificate | $43,798 | $19,917 |
| Somatic Bodywork and Related Therapeutic Services. | Certificate | $24,035 | |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Associate | $20,824 | $18,752 |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services. | Certificate | $18,771 |
The Risk Factor
40.0% of students at Chester Career 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
The math at Chester Career College is hard to justify. You pay nearly $24,000 a year, and ten years after enrolling the median graduate earns just $32,650. That is a net price that outruns the payoff for most of what this school offers, and a 40% graduation rate means many of you leave with debt and no credential at all.
The one program that pays off is Practical/Vocational Nursing. At around $43,800 a year, nursing graduates out-earn the school's median by more than $11,000 and carry roughly the same debt load as everyone else. If nursing is your goal and you finish, the numbers work.
Everything else is a warning sign. The Allied Health and Medical Assisting associate degree pays about $20,800, below what a full-time minimum-wage job clears in many areas, yet it saddles you with nearly the same $19,000 in debt as nursing. Cosmetology and somatic bodywork land in the same low range. Taking on this much debt for those earnings is a losing trade.
The specific risk here is the mix of high price, low completion, and low-wage programs outside nursing. Borrow $19,879 to earn $20,000 a year and repayment becomes a years-long drag on your finances.
The net price tiers make this worse for middle-income families. If your household earns under $30,000, you pay about $21,200. But families between $30,000 and $110,000 pay roughly $30,500 a year, more than the lowest tier. There is no price break as you move up the income ladder.
This school is a fit only if you enter the nursing program, expect to finish, and can limit borrowing. For any other major, a community college nursing or allied-health track will cost you far less for the same or better pay.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Chester Career College worth the money?
Chester Career College graduates earn a median of $32,650 ten years after enrollment, which is low relative to the $23,878 annual cost. The 40% graduation rate means most students don't complete their programs.
What are the best paying programs at Chester Career College?
Practical Nursing graduates from Chester Career College earn the highest median salary at $43,798, making it the only program that clearly justifies the cost. Other programs like cosmetology ($18,771) and medical assisting ($20,824) offer much lower earning potential.
How much debt do Chester Career College students graduate with?
Chester Career College graduates have a median debt of $19,879. Given the low median earnings of $32,650, this debt load may be difficult to manage for most graduates.
Does Chester Career College have good job placement after graduation?
With only 40% of students completing their programs at Chester Career College, most don't reach graduation to enter the job market. The school's low completion rate suggests significant challenges in student success.