At $4,902/yr net price, City Colleges of Chicago-Kennedy-King College graduates earn $28,467/yr within 10 years of enrollment.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $4,902 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $19,608 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $28,467/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | $-5,533/yr |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 25.5% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $6,180 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $4,396/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $4,511/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $7,377/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $9,006/yr |
| $110,001+ | $11,382/yr |
The Risk Factor
25.5% of students at City Colleges of Chicago-Kennedy-King College 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
Kennedy-King College is cheap to attend but the payoff after graduation is thin. Net price runs under $5,000 a year and median debt at graduation sits at $6,180, so you leave without a heavy loan burden. The problem is what comes next: median earnings ten years out land at $28,467, which is close to what many jobs pay without any credential at all. That gap between low cost and low earnings is the whole story here.
The 25.5% graduation rate is the biggest financial risk you face. Three out of four students who start do not finish, and if you borrow and drop out you carry debt without the credential that was supposed to justify it. Low debt only protects you if you complete, and here completion is the exception.
The income-based net price tiers matter a lot for who this works for. If your family earns under $30,000, you pay about $4,396 a year. Cross into the $48,000-$75,000 range and the price jumps to $7,377, then $9,006 above that. So the lower your income, the better the math, and Kennedy-King is built for you if money is tight and you can commute.
This is a reasonable financial fit if you want an affordable, low-debt start and plan to transfer to a four-year school, where the real earnings gains live. It is a weak fit if you expect this degree alone to lift you into strong pay, because the earnings data does not back that up. Treat it as a low-cost first step, finish what you start, and have a transfer plan before you enroll.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is City Colleges of Chicago-Kennedy-King College worth the cost?
With a net price of $4,902 per year and graduates earning $28,467 annually after 10 years, Kennedy-King College offers affordable education but relatively low earning potential. The 25% graduation rate is concerning and suggests many students don't complete their programs.
What is the return on investment for City Colleges of Chicago-Kennedy-King College?
Kennedy-King College has a weak ROI with graduates earning just $28,467 ten years after enrollment. While the low cost keeps debt manageable at $6,180 median, the earning outcomes lag behind many other colleges.
How much debt do City Colleges of Chicago-Kennedy-King College graduates have?
Kennedy-King College graduates have a median debt of $6,180, which is relatively low compared to national averages. The affordable tuition helps keep borrowing minimal for those who complete their programs.
What programs at City Colleges of Chicago-Kennedy-King College have the best job prospects?
Healthcare programs like nursing and medical assistant training typically offer the strongest job prospects at Kennedy-King College. These career-focused programs align better with local job market demands than general academic courses.