At $8,166/yr net price, Community College of Allegheny County graduates earn $39,449/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $5,449/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $8,166 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $32,664 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $39,449/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$5,449/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 6 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 23.4% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $12,680 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $6,510/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $7,414/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $9,633/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $12,758/yr |
| $110,001+ | $13,905/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical and Power Transmission Installers. | Certificate | $124,590 | |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Associate | $53,851 | $14,333 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Certificate | $45,808 | |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies. | Associate | $41,342 | |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Associate | $41,323 | $14,927 |
| Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians. | Associate | $40,485 | |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions. | Associate | $39,369 | |
| Computer Programming. | Associate | $38,289 | $12,483 |
| Precision Metal Working. | Certificate | $37,593 | |
| Computer Engineering Technologies/Technicians. | Associate | $36,668 |
The Risk Factor
23.4% of students at Community College of Allegheny County 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
Community College of Allegheny County gives you a low-cost entry point with a modest but real payoff, as long as you pick the right program and actually finish. At roughly $8,000 a year, your debt stays low, and a median debt under $13,000 is manageable against typical earnings. The catch is the graduation rate: fewer than one in four students finishes, and the low price only pays off if you're in that group.
Your program choice decides everything here. The nursing associate degree is the clear winner, pulling around $54,000 a year against debt near $14,000, which is a fast return on a two-year credential. Vehicle maintenance and the associate-level allied health tracks land closer to $41,000, still solid for the cost. The overall median earnings of $39,449 tell you the typical graduate lands in that same range, not higher.
Watch the credentials carefully. That $124,590 figure for electrical and power transmission is a certificate outcome, not a degree, and it reflects a small niche field, so don't treat it as a typical result. The allied health numbers split between certificate and associate paths that pay similarly, so weigh the shorter certificate against the longer degree.
The net price tiers stay low for lower incomes. If your family earns under $30,000, you pay about $6,500 a year. over $110,000, you pay closer to $13,900. Even the top tier stays cheap compared to a four-year school, which makes this a low-risk first step whatever your income.
This school fits you if you want nursing, a skilled trade, or a cheap route into a bachelor's transfer. Look elsewhere if you need a program not listed here or if you're unlikely to finish, since the biggest financial risk is paying for credits and leaving without the credential.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Community College of Allegheny County worth the cost?
With a net price of $8,166 per year and median earnings of $39,449 after graduation, CCAC offers decent value for certain career-focused programs. The low graduation rate of 23.4% means many students don't finish, which hurts the overall return on investment.
What are the best paying programs at Community College of Allegheny County?
Electrical and Power Transmission Installers leads with $124,590 median earnings, followed by nursing at $53,851. These technical programs offer strong job prospects that justify the tuition cost.
How much debt do Community College of Allegheny County graduates have?
The median debt load is $12,680, which is manageable compared to four-year schools. However, with post-graduation earnings averaging $39,449, graduates need about 4-5 years to pay off loans if they focus on debt repayment.
Does Community College of Allegheny County have a good graduation rate?
CCAC's 23.4% graduation rate is concerning and well below national averages for community colleges. This means roughly 3 out of 4 students don't complete their programs, which significantly impacts the school's value proposition.