At $9,431/yr net price, Community College of Denver graduates earn $39,095/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $5,095/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $9,431 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $37,724 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $39,095/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$5,095/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 7.4 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 15.8% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $12,495 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $7,881/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $8,725/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $10,262/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $14,658/yr |
| $110,001+ | $17,432/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions. | Associate | $65,320 | $21,000 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Associate | $44,021 | $12,500 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Certificate | $36,848 | |
| Veterinary/Animal Health Technologies/Technicians. | Associate | $28,816 | $8,906 |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants. | Certificate | $27,488 | $9,500 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Associate | $26,850 | $11,250 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Certificate | $24,035 |
The Risk Factor
15.8% of students at Community College of Denver 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 Denver runs a low-cost, low-completion model, and both halves of that matter. Net price sits around $9,400 a year and median debt lands near $12,500, so you won't graduate buried. But the 15.8% graduation rate is the number that should stop you. Most people who enroll here don't finish, and an unfinished credential leaves you paying without the earnings bump to show for it.
Median earnings ten years out are about $39,000. That's modest, and it caps what your return looks like even if you do complete. Against roughly $12,500 in debt, the math works only if you finish and land a job that pays. The risk here isn't debt size. it's walking away with debt and no degree.
No bachelor-level program earnings are listed, so there's no way to say which specific majors here pay off and which don't. Treat any program you're considering as an open question and ask the school directly for completion and placement data before you commit.
The net price tiers reward lower incomes. Under $30,000, you pay around $7,900. over $110,000, you pay closer to $17,400. If your family earns under $48,000, this is one of the cheaper ways to test college in Denver. Above $110,000, you're paying nearly double for the same low completion odds, which weakens the case.
This school fits you if you're cost-sensitive, live near Denver, and have a concrete plan to finish, ideally a clear transfer path or a specific job target. If you need a structured environment that carries you to graduation, the 15.8% completion rate says look elsewhere. Enroll here only if you're confident you'll be in the minority who finish.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Community College of Denver worth the cost?
Community College of Denver offers decent value for career-focused programs, with relatively low debt and a net price under $10,000 annually. However, the 16% graduation rate is concerning and may indicate completion challenges for many students.
What are the best paying programs at Community College of Denver?
Dental support services leads at $65,320 annually, followed by allied health diagnostic programs around $44,000. These healthcare-focused programs offer the strongest return on investment at the school.
How much debt do Community College of Denver graduates have?
Median debt is $12,495, which is manageable compared to four-year schools. Given the low graduation rate, many students may leave with debt but no degree.
Do Community College of Denver graduates earn good salaries?
Overall graduate earnings average $39,095 ten years later, which is modest but reasonable for an associate degree. Healthcare program graduates earn significantly more, while other fields may struggle to justify the investment.