At $5,200/yr net price, Cossatot Community College of the University of Arkansas graduates earn $33,775/yr within 10 years of enrollment.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $5,200 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $20,800 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $33,775/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | $-225/yr |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 48.0% |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $4,122/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $5,297/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $8,264/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $7,245/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 | $55,964 | |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Associate | $48,432 | |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants. | Associate | $33,993 | |
| Precision Metal Working. | Certificate | $27,281 | |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other. | Associate | $26,585 | |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Associate | $20,140 | |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Associate | $14,230 |
The Risk Factor
48.0% of students at Cossatot Community College of the University of Arkansas graduate within 6 years. More than half of students finish, but the dropout rate is a real factor in whether this investment pays off.
Analysis
Cossatot Community College gives you a low-cost path with a strong payoff if you pick the right program, and a weak one if you don't. At $5,200 a year net, your total cost to finish is small, and a 48% graduation rate is decent for a two-year school. The problem is the spread: the school's median earnings ten years out sit below what a full-time minimum-wage job pays in many places, which tells you most graduates land in low-paying fields.
Nursing is where the money is. The associate nursing degree pays nearly $56,000, and allied health and medical assisting clears $48,000. Those two programs alone are worth attending for. Everything else drops off fast. Precision metal working and the multi/interdisciplinary associate both pay under $28,000, and even practical nursing lands right at the school's overall median near $34,000. If you enroll here for anything outside registered nursing or allied health, expect earnings that barely clear the cost of living.
The financial risk is concentrated in program choice, not price. Cheap tuition protects you from heavy debt, but a $26,000 salary from the interdisciplinary track still leaves you with little room. Regional demand for nurses in rural southwest Arkansas is what makes those top programs pay. the lower-earning certificates don't have the same pull.
On net price by income, families earning under $30,000 pay about $4,100, while the $48,000-$75,000 band pays over $8,000 , the middle-income tier actually pays the most here, so don't assume more income means a better deal.
This school fits you if you want to become a registered nurse or work in allied health without taking on debt. Look elsewhere if you're aiming for the general studies or trade certificates, since the earnings don't justify even the low cost for a career.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cossatot Community College of the University of Arkansas worth the cost?
At $5,200 per year, Cossatot offers decent value if you choose the right program. Nursing graduates earn $55,964 annually, making the investment worthwhile, but other programs lead to much lower earnings.
What programs at Cossatot Community College of the University of Arkansas have the best ROI?
Registered nursing programs provide the strongest return, with graduates earning $55,964 per year. Allied health programs also pay well at $48,432, while general studies leads to only $26,585 annually.
How much debt will I have after attending Cossatot Community College of the University of Arkansas?
With a net price of $5,200 per year, total debt stays relatively low for a two-year degree. The bigger concern is the 48% graduation rate, meaning many students don't finish their programs.
Do Cossatot Community College of the University of Arkansas graduates find good jobs?
It depends entirely on your program choice. Nursing and allied health graduates do well, but the overall average earnings of $33,775 after 10 years is modest even for Arkansas standards.