At $7,466/yr net price, Community College of Aurora graduates earn $44,592/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $10,592/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $7,466 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $29,864 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $44,592/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$10,592/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 2.8 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 28.6% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $10,500 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $4,841/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $6,865/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $8,297/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $14,172/yr |
| $110,001+ | $15,383/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Certificate | $52,107 | |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Associate | $45,277 | |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Associate | $42,682 | |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Associate | $27,667 | $12,000 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Associate | $21,508 | |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts. | Associate | $20,140 | $18,114 |
The Risk Factor
28.6% of students at Community College of Aurora 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 Aurora gives you a low-cost entry point with a modest payoff. At $7,466 a year in net price and $10,500 in median debt, you take on less financial risk here than at almost any four-year school. But the median 10-year earnings of $44,592 tell you this is a place to save money, not to bank on a big income jump.
Your major decides everything. Criminal justice pays off here in a way nothing else does. The associate degree lands around $45,000, and the certificate version tops the list at over $52,000 for far less time and cost. Allied health sits close behind. These programs line up with steady demand in the Aurora and Denver metro for corrections, law enforcement, and healthcare support roles.
The weak spots are clear. The accounting associate degree reports about $21,500 in median earnings, and general studies comes in near $27,700 while carrying $12,000 in debt. Those numbers barely clear entry-level wage work. If you enroll in either without a plan to transfer, you risk paying for a credential that does little for your paycheck.
The biggest financial risk is the 28.6% graduation rate. Most people who start here don't finish, and dropping out with debt and no credential is the worst outcome. Cost is not the danger. completion is.
If your family earns under $30,000, you pay $4,841 a year, and the low debt makes this a smart, cheap start. Above $110,000, your net price triples to over $15,000, which erodes the value unless you use it purely as a transfer springboard. This school fits you if you want criminal justice or allied health training, or a low-cost path toward a four-year transfer. Look elsewhere if you want accounting or a terminal general studies degree.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Community College of Aurora worth the cost?
Community College of Aurora offers reasonable value with a low net price of $7,466 per year and modest debt levels around $10,500. However, the 29% graduation rate is concerning, and earnings vary dramatically by program from $21,000 to $52,000 annually.
What are the best paying programs at Community College of Aurora?
Criminal Justice and Allied Health programs at Community College of Aurora lead to the highest earnings, with graduates making $42,000-$52,000 annually. Liberal Arts and Accounting programs result in much lower earnings of $21,000-$28,000 per year.
How much debt do Community College of Aurora graduates have?
Community College of Aurora graduates typically leave with $10,500 in debt, which is manageable compared to four-year schools. The low cost and modest debt make it a lower-risk option for career training.
What is the graduation rate at Community College of Aurora?
Only 29% of students graduate from Community College of Aurora within normal timeframes. This low completion rate means many students pay tuition but don't earn credentials, which significantly impacts the school's overall value.