At $3,166/yr net price, City Colleges of Chicago-Richard J Daley College graduates earn $37,962/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $3,962/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $3,166 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $12,664 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $37,962/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$3,962/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 3.2 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 27.6% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $4,500 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $2,222/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $2,293/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $5,441/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $6,819/yr |
The Risk Factor
27.6% of students at City Colleges of Chicago-Richard J Daley 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
Richard J Daley College costs you almost nothing to attend. At $3,166 a year in net price and a median debt of $4,500 at graduation, the financial risk here is close to the floor for any college in Illinois. You can finish an associate degree owing less than the price of a used car.
The problem is what comes after. Median earnings ten years out sit under $38,000. That is a modest wage for the Chicago metro, and it caps how much this credential does for you. The low debt makes the math work anyway: small cost in, small return out, but the return still clears the cost. This is a mixed picture, not a strong one.
The bigger risk is finishing at all. Fewer than three in ten students graduate. If you enroll, take on even the small debt, and leave without a credential, you carry the cost with none of the earnings bump. That completion rate is the single number that should drive your decision here.
On price by income, the tiers reward lower-income families. Under $48,000, you pay around $2,200 to $2,300 a year. Above $48,000, net price roughly doubles to $5,441, and above $75,000 it climbs to $6,819. Still cheap in absolute terms, but the jump is steep relative to the earnings you can expect after.
Daley College fits you if you want a low-cost path into a two-year credential or a transfer to a four-year school, and you are confident you will finish. If you need the degree itself to move your earnings well above $38,000, look at where transfer credits take you next, because the associate degree alone does not get you there.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is City Colleges of Chicago-Richard J Daley College worth the cost?
Richard J Daley College offers strong value with a low net price of $3,166 per year and modest debt levels around $4,500. However, the 28% graduation rate means many students don't complete their programs, which significantly impacts the return on investment.
What are the job prospects after graduating from City Colleges of Chicago-Richard J Daley College?
Graduates earn a median of $37,962 ten years after enrollment, which is reasonable for a community college. The low cost means most graduates can recoup their investment quickly, but only if they actually complete their degree.
How much student debt will I have from City Colleges of Chicago-Richard J Daley College?
The median debt is just $4,500, well below national averages for community colleges. With strong financial aid bringing the annual cost down to around $3,166, most students graduate with manageable debt loads.
Does City Colleges of Chicago-Richard J Daley College have a good graduation rate?
The graduation rate is 28%, which is low even for community colleges. This means nearly three out of four students don't finish their programs, making completion the biggest risk to getting value from your investment.