At $7,962/yr net price, Copper Mountain Community College graduates earn $33,281/yr within 10 years of enrollment.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $7,962 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $31,848 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $33,281/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | $-719/yr |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 38.3% |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $7,075/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $7,689/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $9,314/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $11,142/yr |
The Risk Factor
38.3% of students at Copper Mountain 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
Copper Mountain Community College gives you a low sticker cost and a modest payoff. At under $8,000 a year in net price, you are not taking on the kind of debt that a four-year school demands, and that matters because the earnings on the other side are limited. Ten years out, the typical graduate earns about $33,000 a year. That is a living wage in the high desert around Joshua Tree, but it is not a number that justifies borrowing heavily.
The math works only because the cost is small. Spend two years and roughly $16,000 total, finish, and you land in a wage range that clears that cost within a couple of working years. The risk sits in the graduation rate: fewer than four in ten students finish. If you are among the majority who leave without a credential, you have paid for time and gotten no degree to show for it, and the earnings figure above no longer applies to you.
The net price barely moves for lower-income families. If your household earns under $30,000, you pay about $7,075. between $48,000 and $75,000, the price climbs past $9,000, and above $75,000 it tops $11,000. Aid here flattens cost for the poorest families and asks middle-income households to pay more of the sticker.
This is a good financial fit if you plan to transfer to a four-year school cheaply, or want a local credential without debt. Look elsewhere if you need strong completion support to finish, or expect a two-year degree alone to lift you well above $33,000.
If you paste the actual program tables (with credential levels), I'll rewrite the middle section to name which fields at this school pay off.Frequently Asked Questions
Is Copper Mountain Community College worth the cost?
With graduates earning $33,281 ten years after enrollment and a net price of $7,962 annually, Copper Mountain Community College offers modest returns on investment. The low graduation rate of 38% means many students don't complete their programs.
What is the job market like for Copper Mountain Community College graduates?
Graduates earn around $33,000 annually ten years after starting, which is below the national average for community college graduates. The desert location limits local job opportunities, so many graduates need to relocate for better-paying positions.
How much debt do Copper Mountain Community College students typically graduate with?
As a community college with an annual net price under $8,000, most students can avoid significant debt if they complete their programs quickly. However, the 38% graduation rate suggests many students spend more time and money than planned without finishing.
Which programs at Copper Mountain Community College have the best ROI?
Healthcare and skilled trade programs typically offer the strongest earning potential for community college graduates. However, specific program outcome data for Copper Mountain Community College is limited, making it difficult to identify which majors provide the best return.