At $7,272/yr net price, City College of San Francisco graduates earn $45,805/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $11,805/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $7,272 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $29,088 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $45,805/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$11,805/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 2.5 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 39.6% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $8,218 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $6,859/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $6,097/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $9,465/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $13,263/yr |
| $110,001+ | $9,070/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 | $92,632 | |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Associate | $88,198 | |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Associate | $69,338 | |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Associate | $35,060 | |
| Hospitality Administration/Management. | Associate | $33,281 |
The Risk Factor
39.6% of students at City College of San Francisco graduate within 6 years. Fewer than half of students complete their degree. If you don't graduate, the financial investment may not pay off.
Analysis
City College of San Francisco keeps costs low and debt lower, which is the foundation of its financial case. You borrow a median of about $8,200 total, roughly what a single semester runs at many four-year schools. With a net price near $7,300 a year, the downside risk here is small even if you don't finish.
The payoff depends almost entirely on which program you pick. The health tracks are where the money is. Nursing graduates clear over $90,000, and allied health lands close behind at about $88,000. Those two associate programs feed directly into San Francisco's hospital and clinic demand, and they justify the tuition many times over. Choose one of them and this becomes one of the better financial bets in California community college.
The rest is a steep drop. Accounting graduates earn about $35,000 and hospitality management about $33,000, below the school's own median earnings across all graduates. In one of the most expensive metro areas in the country, those wages don't stretch far. If a business or hospitality associate is your endpoint, the return is weak, and you'd want a transfer plan to a bachelor's before counting on those fields to pay rent here.
The biggest risk is the graduation rate under 40%. Most of the value comes from completing a credential, so dropping out leaves you with tuition spent and no wage bump. The middle-income net price quirk matters too: if your family earns $75,000 to $110,000, you pay the most, around $13,300, more than lower-income and higher-income brackets.
This school fits you if you're aiming at nursing or allied health, or using it as a low-cost transfer step toward a four-year degree. Look elsewhere if you plan to stop at a business or hospitality associate and expect San Francisco wages to follow.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is City College of San Francisco worth the money?
City College of San Francisco offers solid value with a low net price of $7,272 per year and minimal debt of $8,218. However, the 39.6% graduation rate means many students don't finish, and average earnings of $45,805 after 10 years are modest for the Bay Area's high cost of living.
What are the best paying programs at City College of San Francisco?
Nursing programs at City College of San Francisco lead to the highest earnings, with registered nursing graduates earning around $92,632 annually. Allied health programs also pay well at $88,198, while hospitality management graduates earn just $33,281.
How much debt do City College of San Francisco graduates have?
City College of San Francisco graduates carry relatively low debt with a median of $8,218. The low debt combined with the affordable $7,272 annual cost makes this school financially accessible for most students.
Does City College of San Francisco have a good graduation rate?
City College of San Francisco has a low graduation rate of 39.6%, meaning 6 out of 10 students don't complete their programs. This significantly reduces the school's value since students who don't graduate miss out on the degree's earning potential while still incurring costs.