At $5,576/yr net price, Columbia-Greene Community College graduates earn $44,441/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $10,441/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $5,576 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $22,304 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $44,441/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$10,441/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 2.1 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 33.7% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $12,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $3,565/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $5,469/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $6,913/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $9,933/yr |
| $110,001+ | $12,441/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 | $55,383 | $20,000 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Associate | $19,797 | $11,000 |
The Risk Factor
33.7% of students at Columbia-Greene 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
Columbia-Greene Community College gives you a low-cost path to a modest but real return. You pay $5,576 a year on average and carry $12,000 in median debt at graduation, which median earnings of $44,441 ten years out can service without much strain. The catch is the 33.70% graduation rate. Two out of three of you don't finish, and if you leave with debt and no credential, the math stops working fast.
Your program choice decides everything here. Nursing is the clear winner: an associate degree leads to $55,383 a year, enough to pay off the higher $20,000 nursing debt load quickly. Liberal Arts and Sciences is the opposite story at $19,797 a year, barely above minimum-wage territory and below what the debt attached to it justifies. If you enroll in Liberal Arts as a terminal degree, the return is weak. It only makes financial sense as a cheap transfer step toward a four-year school, and that plan depends on you actually transferring.
The main risk is finishing. A one-in-three completion rate means the biggest financial danger is paying tuition and taking loans without ever earning the credential that pays them back.
The net price tiers are gentle at the bottom. If your family earns under $30k, you pay $3,565 a year. the $48-75k band pays $6,913. Above $110k you pay $12,441, still low for higher education but the point where a transfer plan matters more.
This school fits you if you want nursing or a low-cost start you intend to transfer out of, and you're confident you'll finish. Look elsewhere if you'd stop at a general Liberal Arts associate degree, because those earnings don't clear the cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Columbia-Greene Community College worth the cost?
Columbia-Greene Community College offers decent value at $5,576 per year, especially for nursing students who earn $55,383 after graduation. However, the 33.7% graduation rate means many students don't finish, and liberal arts graduates average only $19,797.
What programs at Columbia-Greene Community College have the best ROI?
Nursing programs at Columbia-Greene provide the strongest return, with graduates earning $55,383 annually. Liberal arts and general studies graduates earn significantly less at $19,797, making these programs harder to justify financially.
How much debt do Columbia-Greene Community College students graduate with?
Students at Columbia-Greene Community College graduate with a median debt of $12,000. This is relatively low compared to four-year schools, but the 33.7% graduation rate means many students may accumulate debt without completing their degree.
Do Columbia-Greene Community College graduates earn enough to pay off their loans?
Nursing graduates from Columbia-Greene earn enough at $55,383 to comfortably handle the typical $12,000 debt load. Liberal arts graduates earning $19,797 may struggle more with loan payments despite the relatively low debt amount.