At $5,161/yr net price, Crowder College graduates earn $35,987/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $1,987/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $5,161 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $20,644 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $35,987/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$1,987/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 10.4 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 43.3% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $9,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $4,380/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $4,400/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $6,779/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $8,554/yr |
| $110,001+ | $11,532/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 | $45,145 | $11,655 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Associate | $22,905 | $7,365 |
The Risk Factor
43.3% of students at Crowder College 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
Crowder College gives you a low-cost, low-debt path with a modest earnings ceiling. At $5,161 a year in net price and $9,000 in median debt, your downside is small , you won't graduate owing more than you can handle. But the median earnings ten years out sit below $36,000, so this is a value play built on keeping costs down, not on big paychecks.
The nursing program is where the money is. An associate in registered nursing pays roughly $45,000 , about double what the general studies track returns. If you're aiming at nursing, Crowder pays off cleanly: modest debt, a licensed job, and earnings well above the school median. The Liberal Arts and General Studies associate is the opposite. At under $23,000, it barely clears what you'd earn without it, and it makes financial sense only as a transfer step toward a four-year degree elsewhere.
The main risk is the 43% graduation rate. Fewer than half of you finish, and if you drop out you keep the debt without the credential that justifies it. That gap matters more here than the price does, because the low cost only works if you actually complete.
The net price tiers are genuinely cheap for lower-income families. Under $48,000 in household income, you pay around $4,400 a year. Above $110,000, it climbs to $11,532 , still reasonable for a two-year school, but the discount clearly favors lower incomes.
Crowder is a strong fit if you want nursing or plan to transfer, and you're keeping debt low either way. Look elsewhere if you want a terminal general-studies associate to carry you straight into a career , those numbers don't support it. Finish what you start, and the math here works in your favor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Crowder College worth the cost compared to other schools?
Crowder College offers decent value with a low net price of $5,161 per year and graduates earning $35,987 after 10 years. The nursing programs show strong returns with median earnings of $45,145, but liberal arts graduates earn just $22,905.
What is the graduation rate at Crowder College and does it affect ROI?
Crowder College has a 43% graduation rate, meaning most students don't finish their programs. This significantly hurts ROI since students who don't graduate still accumulate debt without getting the credential needed for higher earnings.
How much debt do Crowder College students typically have?
Crowder College graduates have a median debt of $9,000, which is relatively low for college debt. The manageable debt load helps improve the school's overall value proposition, especially for nursing students who earn enough to handle payments comfortably.
Which programs at Crowder College offer the best return on investment?
Nursing programs at Crowder College provide the strongest ROI with graduates earning $45,145 annually. Liberal arts and general studies graduates earn significantly less at $22,905, making these programs harder to justify financially.