Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $34,938/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$938/yr |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 83.3% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $25,250 |
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 | $47,260 | |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Associate | $37,088 | $27,334 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Bachelor | $35,060 | |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | Bachelor | $31,423 | $47,651 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | Associate | $29,141 | $29,500 |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Associate | $27,679 | $25,592 |
| Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians. | Associate | $27,494 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $27,397 | $47,221 |
| Legal Support Services. | Associate | $25,967 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Associate | $25,194 | $26,000 |
The Risk Factor
83.3% of students at City College-Hollywood graduate within 6 years. Most students who start here finish their degree.
Analysis
City College-Hollywood leaves you with a weak financial return. Ten years after enrolling, the typical graduate earns under $35,000 a year , barely above what many jobs require no degree at all to pay. Against a median debt of $25,250, that salary makes repayment slow and tight.
None of the three bachelor's programs here pay off well. Accounting tops the list, and even that lands close to the school-wide median. Business Administration is the worst deal: it pays the least of the three while saddling you with the most debt, over $47,000. Health and Medical Administrative Services carries a similar debt load for a slightly higher paycheck. Both leave you owing far more than the school's median debt suggests, so those program-level numbers are the ones to watch, not the campus average.
The specific risk here is the gap between what these programs cost and what they return. When your debt runs nearly double your first-year salary, as it does in business and health administration, monthly payments eat into income you need for rent in the Hollywood and Fort Lauderdale area. The 83% graduation rate means you'll likely finish, but finishing with this debt-to-earnings ratio is the problem, not dropping out.
Every student here receives a Pell Grant, which tells you this school serves low-income families. If you qualify for the lowest net price tier, the math improves , a smaller bill against these modest salaries is survivable. If you'd land in a higher tier, the return does not justify the cost. Look at community college or a public university first, especially for business, where you can get the same credential for far less. City College-Hollywood makes sense only if aid covers most of your cost and accounting is your target.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is City College-Hollywood worth the cost?
With graduates earning $34,938 annually and median debt of $25,250, City College-Hollywood offers modest returns that depend heavily on your program choice. Nursing graduates earn significantly more at $47,260, while other programs may struggle to justify the investment.
What programs at City College-Hollywood have the best ROI?
Registered Nursing offers the strongest return at $47,260 annually, making it the clear standout program. Allied Health programs earn $37,088, while accounting and health administration programs fall closer to the school's overall average of $34,938.
How much debt do City College-Hollywood graduates typically have?
Median debt is $25,250, which creates manageable payments for nursing graduates but may be challenging for those in lower-earning programs. Non-nursing graduates earning around $35,000 could face difficulty with standard loan repayment.
Does City College-Hollywood have good graduation rates?
The 83.30% graduation rate is solid and indicates most students complete their programs. However, finishing your degree doesn't guarantee strong earnings outside of nursing and select allied health fields.