At $7,420/yr net price, Cochise County Community College District graduates earn $38,033/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $4,033/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $7,420 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $29,680 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $38,033/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$4,033/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 7.4 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 30.3% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $6,750 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $6,731/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $7,628/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $9,624/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $10,978/yr |
| $110,001+ | $13,638/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 | $57,047 | |
| Intelligence, Command Control and Information Operations. | Associate | $46,087 | |
| Intelligence, Command Control and Information Operations. | Certificate | $38,289 | |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Certificate | $36,134 | |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Associate | $33,993 | |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Certificate | $25,194 | |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Certificate | $23,340 | $8,500 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Associate | $21,964 | |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Associate | $19,227 | $9,702 |
The Risk Factor
30.3% of students at Cochise County Community College District 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
Cochise College gives you a low-cost path with a modest payoff. You pay $7,420 a year and leave with a median debt of $6,750, less than the price of one year. That debt load is the school's strongest feature. The problem is what comes after: median earnings ten years out sit around $38,000, and only 30% of students finish.
The program you pick decides everything here. The associate nursing track pays about $57,000, roughly $23,000 more per year than the criminal justice associate degree at the bottom of the list. If you can get into nursing, the math works cleanly. The Intelligence, Command Control and Information Operations associate degree pays about $46,000, which fits Sierra Vista's location next to Fort Huachuca and its intelligence workforce. Note the same intelligence field pays $8,000 less at the certificate level than the associate, so finishing the full degree matters.
The biggest financial risk is not finishing. With a 30% graduation rate, most students leave without the credential, and the earnings figures above only apply if you complete. Certificate paths in allied health and intelligence pay in the mid-$30,000s, so a certificate is a weaker bet than the nursing or intelligence associate degrees.
Net price barely moves for lower-income families: you pay about $6,700 under $30k and $7,600 in the $30-48k band. Families over $110k pay roughly double that, $13,600. For a low-income family aiming at the nursing program, this is a good financial fit. If you are drawn to the lower-paying associate tracks or plan to stop at a certificate, look harder at whether the return justifies even this low cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cochise County Community College District worth the cost?
With a net price of $7,420 per year and graduates earning $38,033 after 10 years, the school offers decent value for a community college. However, the 30% graduation rate means most students don't finish their programs.
What are the best paying programs at Cochise County Community College District?
Nursing programs lead earnings at $57,047, followed by Intelligence and Command Control operations at $46,087. Most other programs result in below-average earnings, with criminal justice graduates earning just $33,993.
How much debt do Cochise County Community College District graduates have?
The median debt is $6,750, which is manageable for a community college. This low debt load helps offset the modest earnings many graduates see.
Should I attend Cochise County Community College District if I'm not studying nursing?
Only consider it if you're pursuing nursing or intelligence operations programs, which show strong returns. Other programs offer weak earning potential relative to even this affordable school's costs.