At $3,912/yr net price, Clover Park Technical College graduates earn $41,787/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $7,787/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $3,912 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $15,648 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $41,787/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$7,787/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 2 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 40.7% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $12,112 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $3,264/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $3,328/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $3,365/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $9,998/yr |
| $110,001+ | $13,974/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 | $73,949 | |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies. | Associate | $47,260 | |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Associate | $46,478 | |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants. | Certificate | $43,000 | $10,584 |
| Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management. | Associate | $39,369 | |
| Engineering Technology, General. | Certificate | $36,938 | |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Certificate | $35,060 | |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Certificate | $35,060 | |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Associate | $34,847 | $12,277 |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions. | Certificate | $32,925 |
The Risk Factor
40.7% of students at Clover Park Technical College graduate within 6 years. More than half of students finish, but the dropout rate is a real factor in whether this investment pays off.
Analysis
Clover Park Technical College costs almost nothing to attend if your family earns under $75k, and that changes the whole math. With net price under $3,400 a year at those income levels, you can finish a program for less than one year of tuition at most four-year schools. Median debt sits at $12,112, which is low enough that even middling earnings can clear it.
The catch is what you earn after. Median earnings ten years out land at $41,787. That is a modest number, and it means the return here depends entirely on which program you pick. Clover Park is a technical college, so its value comes from trade and career-track credentials, not four-year degrees. The school lists no bachelor-level program earnings, so treat any specific major promise with caution and ask the program directly for placement and wage data before you enroll.
The real financial risk is the 40.7% graduation rate. Six in ten students who start do not finish, and if you borrow and leave without a credential, you carry debt with none of the earning power a completed certificate would give you. Low cost only pays off if you finish.
This school fits you if you live near Lakewood, want a specific trade or technical skill, and can commit to finishing. At under $3,400 a year for lower incomes, you can train without borrowing much or at all. If your family earns over $110k, net price jumps to nearly $14,000, and the value proposition weakens compared to lower-income students. If you want a bachelor's degree or a high-earning white-collar path, look elsewhere.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Clover Park Technical College worth the cost?
With a net price of $3,912 per year and median debt of $12,112, Clover Park Technical College offers decent value for students who graduate. However, the 40.7% graduation rate means many students don't finish, making it risky for those who struggle with program completion.
What programs at Clover Park Technical College have the best ROI?
Registered nursing programs offer the strongest return with graduates earning around $73,949 annually. Vehicle maintenance and allied health programs also provide solid returns at $47,260 and $46,478 respectively, while computer technology programs lag behind at $39,369.
How much debt do Clover Park Technical College graduates typically have?
The median debt for Clover Park Technical College graduates is $12,112, which is relatively manageable for a technical college. This low debt load helps improve the overall value proposition, especially for higher-paying programs like nursing.
Do Clover Park Technical College graduates earn good salaries?
Graduate earnings vary significantly by program at Clover Park Technical College. Nursing graduates can expect strong salaries around $73,949, but the overall median of $41,787 reflects lower-paying programs that may not justify the time investment.