At $2,943/yr net price, Danville Area Community College graduates earn $34,867/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $867/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $2,943 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $11,772 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $34,867/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$867/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 13.6 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 37.9% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $7,218 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $1,026/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $2,052/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $4,949/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $9,218/yr |
| $110,001+ | $8,898/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Certificate | $59,124 | |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Associate | $52,420 | $7,000 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | Associate | $29,322 | |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Certificate | $25,194 | |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Associate | $22,329 | $7,025 |
The Risk Factor
37.9% of students at Danville Area 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
Danville Area Community College keeps your upfront cost low, and that changes the math on everything else. At under $3,000 a year net and median debt around $7,200, you are not taking on the kind of loan burden that sinks a bad outcome. The problem is the payoff on the other end. Median earnings ten years out sit below $35,000, and the 38% graduation rate means most people who enroll don't finish with a credential at all.
Your major decides whether this school works for you. The associate in Registered Nursing pays over $52,000 and carries roughly $7,000 in debt, so you clear your loans fast and land in real earning territory. The Allied Health Diagnostic certificate posts the highest number on the page. Everything else drops off hard. The Liberal Arts associate pays about $22,000 for the same debt load as nursing, and the Medical Assisting certificate isn't far ahead. If you enroll here without aiming at a licensed health career, you are paying for a credential that barely moves your income.
The specific risk is completion. A degree you don't finish still costs you time and money, and nearly two-thirds of students here don't cross the finish line.
If your family earns under $48,000, you pay close to nothing out of pocket, which makes nursing here one of the cheapest paths into a $50,000 job you'll find. Above $75,000 in family income, net price jumps past $9,000, still low in absolute terms but a worse deal if you land in a low-earning program.
Come here for nursing or allied health and finish. Look elsewhere if you want a general studies degree as an end in itself, since the earnings don't justify even this modest cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Danville Area Community College worth the cost?
With a net price of $2,943 per year and median debt of only $7,218, Danville Area Community College offers good value if you choose the right program. Healthcare programs like nursing ($52,420 median earnings) and allied health diagnostics ($59,124) provide strong returns, but general studies graduates earn just $22,329.
What are the best paying programs at Danville Area Community College?
Allied health diagnostic programs lead with $59,124 in median earnings, followed by registered nursing at $52,420. Avoid general studies and liberal arts programs, which only produce $22,329 in median earnings despite the same time investment.
How much debt do Danville Area Community College students graduate with?
The median debt is $7,218, which is manageable compared to four-year schools. However, with a 38% graduation rate, many students leave without completing their programs and may still carry debt.
Should I go to Danville Area Community College for nursing?
Yes, if you can get into the program and complete it. Nursing graduates earn $52,420 median salary, which easily justifies the low cost and debt levels at Danville Area Community College.