At $4,538/yr net price, Cuyahoga Community College District graduates earn $35,654/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $1,654/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $4,538 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $18,152 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $35,654/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$1,654/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 11 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 28.6% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $8,150 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $3,249/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $4,066/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $6,878/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $9,249/yr |
| $110,001+ | $10,633/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Certificate | $108,092 | |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Associate | $53,762 | $9,484 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Certificate | $52,107 | |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions. | Associate | $46,478 | |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Associate | $46,165 | $10,925 |
| Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians. | Associate | $45,696 | |
| Information Science/Studies. | Associate | $44,356 | |
| Legal Support Services. | Certificate | $41,565 | |
| Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians. | Associate | $41,565 | |
| Computer Engineering Technologies/Technicians. | Associate | $41,193 |
The Risk Factor
28.6% of students at Cuyahoga Community College District 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
Cuyahoga Community College keeps costs low, and that's the strongest part of its financial case. At $4,538 a year with median debt around $8,150, you can finish here without heavy borrowing. The problem is what comes after: median earnings ten years out sit near $35,654, and only about 29% of students graduate. Most of the risk here comes from not finishing.
Health programs are where the money is. The associate degree in Registered Nursing pays over $53,000 with debt under $10,000, which is a clean return for a two-year credential in the Cleveland market. Dental support and other allied health associate degrees land in the mid-$40,000s. If a health field draws you, this is a reasonable place to train for it.
The six-figure allied health certificate figure is real but misleading for most of you. Certificate earnings depend heavily on which specific credential and prior experience you bring, and one certificate line here shows $108,000 while another shows $52,000. Treat the high number as a ceiling for a narrow group, not a typical outcome.
Net price barely moves for lower-income families: under $30,000 income pays about $3,249, and the $30-48k tier pays roughly $4,066. Above $75,000 income, your price more than doubles to the $9,000-$10,600 range, so the value shifts as income rises.
This school fits you if you want a low-cost path into nursing or allied health and can commit to finishing. It fits you less if you enroll without a clear health-career target, because the overall earnings and graduation numbers suggest many students leave without a credential that pays. Pick a specific health program, or use this as a cheap transfer step and move on.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cuyahoga Community College District worth the cost?
At $4,538 per year with median debt of only $8,150, Cuyahoga Community College District offers good financial value despite low 10-year earnings of $35,654. The low cost and minimal debt make it a safer investment than most four-year schools.
What are the highest paying programs at Cuyahoga Community College District?
Allied health diagnostic programs lead earnings at $108,092, followed by nursing at $53,762. These healthcare programs significantly outperform the overall graduate median of $35,654 and justify the investment.
How much debt will I have after Cuyahoga Community College District?
Typical graduates leave with $8,150 in debt, which is manageable compared to four-year colleges. The low net price of $4,538 per year keeps borrowing minimal for most students.
What is the graduation rate at Cuyahoga Community College District?
Only 28.6% of students graduate, which is concerning but typical for community colleges. Many students transfer before completing their programs or attend part-time while working.