At $8,615/yr net price, Clark State College graduates earn $39,584/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $5,584/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $8,615 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $34,460 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $39,584/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$5,584/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 6.2 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 24.7% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $14,490 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $6,318/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $7,374/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $9,441/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $12,272/yr |
| $110,001+ | $13,062/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 | $59,834 | $16,832 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Associate | $40,188 | |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Associate | $39,153 | $13,750 |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants. | Certificate | $35,864 | $13,792 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Associate | $33,993 | $13,922 |
| Social Work. | Associate | $31,305 | $20,278 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Associate | $30,409 | $20,948 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Associate | $25,194 | $13,143 |
The Risk Factor
24.7% of students at Clark State 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
Clark State College gives you a low-cost entry point with a shaky completion record. At $8,615 a year in net price, your out-of-pocket exposure is small, and median debt of $14,490 is manageable against the $39,584 you can expect to earn ten years out. The math works only if you finish, and that is the problem.
A 24.7% graduation rate and a 50% retention rate mean half of you leave after the first year, and three-quarters never complete. If you drop out with even part of that debt and no credential, you carry the cost without the earnings bump. That is the central financial risk here, and it is a big one.
The data lists no bachelor-level program earnings, so there is no way to say which specific majors pay off at Clark State. Treat the $39,584 median as a whole-school figure, not a promise tied to any field. If a program's outcomes matter to you, ask the school for its own placement and salary numbers before enrolling.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families. If your household earns under $30k, you pay $6,318. over $110k, you pay $13,062. The gap is real but modest, and even the top tier stays affordable for a four-year public school.
This school fits you if you are cost-conscious, live near Springfield, and have a concrete plan to finish, ideally transferring to a four-year program or moving into a specific local job. It fits you poorly if you need a structured environment to stay enrolled, since the retention numbers suggest many students do not. Go in with a finish-line plan, or the low price stops being a bargain.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Clark State College worth the money?
Clark State College offers decent value if you choose the right program. Nursing graduates earn $59,834 annually while paying only $8,615 per year in net costs, but the 25% graduation rate means many students don't finish.
What are the best paying programs at Clark State College?
Nursing programs at Clark State College provide the strongest ROI, with graduates earning nearly $60,000 annually. Accounting graduates earn around $40,000, while criminal justice majors make $34,000.
How much debt do Clark State College graduates have?
Clark State College graduates carry a median debt of $14,490, which is manageable for nursing graduates but challenging for lower-paying fields like criminal justice. The low net price helps keep borrowing reasonable.
What is the graduation rate at Clark State College?
Only 25% of students graduate from Clark State College, meaning three out of four students leave without completing their degree. This low completion rate is a major risk factor when considering the school's value.