At $6,182/yr net price, College of DuPage graduates earn $46,909/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $12,909/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $6,182 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $24,728 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $46,909/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$12,909/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 1.9 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 24.2% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $10,410 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $3,576/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $3,776/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $7,500/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $11,927/yr |
| $110,001+ | $12,534/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Associate | $25,967 | $9,000 |
The Risk Factor
24.2% of students at College of DuPage 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
College of DuPage gives you a low-cost entry point with a real completion problem. At about $6,182 a year net, this is one of the cheaper ways to earn college credit in the western Chicago suburbs, and the median debt of $10,410 stays well below what four-year students carry. But only about one in four students finish. If you enroll here, your biggest financial risk is not debt , it's paying tuition, earning credits, and walking away without a credential.
The median earnings figure of roughly $47,000 ten years out looks solid for a two-year school, but read it carefully. That number reflects everyone who attended, including people who transferred to four-year universities and finished bachelor's degrees elsewhere. The only program-level earnings listed here , Liberal Arts and Sciences at the associate level , comes in around $26,000. A general studies associate degree is a transfer stepping stone, not an endpoint. If you stop after that associate and don't move on to a bachelor's or a specific career program, your earnings will land closer to that $26,000 mark than the $47,000 median.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families most. If your family earns under $48,000, you pay under $3,800 a year , a genuinely low bill. Above $110,000, you pay closer to $12,500, roughly double the sticker average, which changes the math on whether starting here beats a four-year school directly.
This school fits you if you plan to transfer, want to knock out cheap general credits, or are pursuing a specific career-technical program. It fits you poorly if you tend to start things without finishing them, because the 24% graduation rate says most people here don't complete.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is College of DuPage worth the cost compared to other community colleges?
College of DuPage offers decent value with a low net price of $6,182 per year and moderate debt of $10,410. However, the 24% graduation rate is concerning and suggests many students don't complete their programs.
What is the job market outlook for College of DuPage graduates?
Graduates earn around $46,909 ten years after enrollment, which is reasonable for a community college. The low graduation rate means many students never reach this earning potential.
Which College of DuPage programs provide the best return on investment?
Liberal Arts and Sciences graduates earn about $25,967, which is below the overall average. Students should consider transfer programs or career-focused certificates rather than completing associate degrees in general studies.
How much student debt do College of DuPage students typically graduate with?
The median debt is $10,410, which is manageable for most graduates. The bigger risk is not graduating at all, given that three-quarters of students don't complete their programs.