At $4,146/yr net price, Dallas College graduates earn $41,714/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $7,714/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $4,146 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $16,584 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $41,714/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$7,714/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 2.1 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 35.5% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $9,500 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $3,002/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $3,836/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $5,974/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $7,869/yr |
| $110,001+ | $9,399/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 | $61,281 | $11,250 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Associate | $54,661 | $10,942 |
| Legal Support Services. | Associate | $33,993 | $13,248 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Associate | $25,194 | $9,742 |
The Risk Factor
35.5% of students at Dallas 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
Dallas College gives you a low-cost entry into higher education with modest but real financial returns. At $4,146 a year in net price and median debt of just $9,500, you graduate owing less than most students pay for a single year elsewhere. That low debt is the strongest part of the picture. The weaker part is earnings: median pay ten years out sits around what many associate-holders and certificate earners make in the Dallas-Fort Worth job market, which reflects the college's role as a two-year and workforce-focused institution.
The math works because costs stay contained. Even if your earnings land near the median, you are not carrying a debt load that swallows your paycheck. That flips the usual risk equation. Your bigger risk here is completion, not debt. The 35.5% graduation rate means most students who enroll do not finish on the standard timeline, and unfinished credits still cost money and time without the earnings bump a credential brings. The 89% retention rate suggests you are likely to come back for a second year, so the gap opens later in the path.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families most. If your family earns under $30k, you pay about $3,002. that figure more than triples if your family earns over $110k. Dallas College is a clear financial fit if you are paying your own way, testing college before a bigger commitment, or planning to transfer credits into a four-year degree cheaply.
Look elsewhere if you want a bachelor's program with strong salary data attached, because the earnings ceiling here stays low. Treat Dallas College as an affordable first step, and its low price and low debt make that step hard to lose money on.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Dallas College worth the money?
Dallas College offers strong value with a low net price of $4,146 per year and modest debt levels around $9,500. The nursing and allied health programs deliver solid returns with graduates earning $54,000-$61,000, though liberal arts graduates see lower earnings at $25,194.
What is the return on investment for Dallas College graduates?
Dallas College graduates earn a median of $41,714 ten years after enrollment, which is reasonable given the low cost. However, the 35.5% graduation rate means many students don't complete their programs, which hurts overall ROI for those who don't finish.
Which Dallas College programs have the best job prospects?
Nursing programs at Dallas College lead to the highest earnings at $61,281, followed by allied health fields at $54,661. Legal support services graduates earn $33,993, while liberal arts majors see significantly lower returns at $25,194.
How much debt do Dallas College students typically graduate with?
Dallas College students graduate with relatively low debt of $9,500 median, making it a low-risk option financially. The combination of low tuition costs and modest borrowing reduces the chance of overwhelming debt payments after graduation.