At $9,605/yr net price, Coastline Community College graduates earn $44,483/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $10,483/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $9,605 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $38,420 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $44,483/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$10,483/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 3.7 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 27.5% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $8,250 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $9,105/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $8,244/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $10,562/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $14,649/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Associate | $45,070 | |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Associate | $33,993 |
The Risk Factor
27.5% of students at Coastline Community 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
Coastline Community College gives you a modest but manageable financial return. Median earnings ten years out land at $44,483, and you carry only $8,250 in median debt to get there. That debt-to-earnings ratio is the strongest thing this school has going for it. You are not borrowing heavily, so even a middling salary leaves you with room to breathe.
The program picture is narrow. Business Administration is the clear winner, paying about $11,000 more per year than Liberal Arts and General Studies. Both are associate degrees, so treat these as stepping stones, not endpoints. Business gets you close to the school's median earnings on its own. Liberal Arts, at roughly $34,000, does not, and it works best as a transfer path to a four-year school rather than a terminal degree.
The real risk is finishing. The 27.5% graduation rate means most people who enroll do not complete here. If you start, borrow, and leave without a credential, you get the debt with none of the earnings payoff. That is the single biggest threat to your return at Coastline.
Net price runs oddly at this school. Families earning $48,000 to $75,000 pay more than families under $30,000, and the $75,000-to-$110,000 tier pays over $14,000 a year, the highest bracket listed. If your household is in that upper-middle range, budget for a steeper bill than lower-income families face.
This school fits you if you plan to complete a business associate degree or use it as a cheap, low-debt launch toward a bachelor's elsewhere. It fits you poorly if you are prone to stopping out or expect a general studies degree alone to pay off. Discipline about finishing decides whether the low cost turns into a real return.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Coastline Community College worth the cost compared to other schools?
With a net price of $9,605 annually and 10-year median earnings of $44,483, Coastline offers reasonable value for a community college. However, the 27.5% graduation rate is concerning and suggests many students don't complete their programs.
What are the best paying programs at Coastline Community College?
Business Administration graduates earn a median of $45,070 after 10 years, making it the strongest financial choice. Liberal Arts graduates earn significantly less at $33,993, which may not justify even the relatively low costs.
How much student debt do Coastline Community College graduates typically have?
Graduates who borrow have a median debt of $8,250, which is manageable compared to four-year schools. The low debt load helps offset the modest earnings potential for most programs.
Does Coastline Community College have good job outcomes for graduates?
Job outcomes vary significantly by program, with business graduates seeing decent returns. The low graduation rate indicates many students struggle to complete their studies, which limits earning potential.