At $11,926/yr net price, Delgado Community College graduates earn $33,305/yr within 10 years of enrollment.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $11,926 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $47,704 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $33,305/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | $-695/yr |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 22.1% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $20,198 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $11,025/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $10,382/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $14,249/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $16,888/yr |
| $110,001+ | $17,548/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 | $56,415 | $24,757 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Certificate | $51,169 | |
| Civil Engineering Technologies/Technicians. | Associate | $48,849 | |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Associate | $48,041 | $20,250 |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Associate | $45,584 | $13,816 |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions. | Associate | $43,798 | |
| Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians. | Associate | $43,128 | |
| Data Processing. | Associate | $37,208 | $19,000 |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies. | Associate | $36,488 | |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Certificate | $34,847 | $15,751 |
The Risk Factor
22.1% of students at Delgado 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
Delgado's financial picture is mixed, and it depends entirely on which program you pick. The median graduate earns $33,305 ten years out, which is barely above what many jobs pay without any degree at all. But that median hides a wide gap. The nursing associate degree pushes graduates to $56,415, and the allied health and civil engineering programs land in the high $40,000s. Those are the programs worth enrolling for.
The healthcare pipeline is where Delgado pays off, and it makes sense given New Orleans' large hospital and clinical job market. Nursing, allied health diagnostics, and medical assisting all clear $45,000. Medical assisting stands out on cost: graduates carry about $13,816 in debt against a $45,584 salary, the best debt-to-earnings ratio on the list. Nursing pays the most but also loads the most debt at $24,757, so the return is strong but not free.
The main risk here is the 22% graduation rate. If you enroll and don't finish, you leave with debt and no credential, and four out of five students don't graduate on time. The strong salary numbers only apply to people who complete the program. Enrolling without a clear plan to finish is the biggest financial danger at this school.
Net price runs cheaper for lower-income families, around $11,000 for those under $48k, and climbs toward $17,500 for families over $110k. If you qualify for aid and commit to a healthcare or engineering track, Delgado is a reasonable bet. If you're drawn to a general or transfer program with no clear earnings path, or you're unsure you'll finish, look harder before you borrow.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Delgado Community College worth the cost?
Delgado Community College offers reasonable value for nursing and allied health programs, with graduates in these fields earning $45,000-56,000 annually. However, the 22% graduation rate is concerning, and overall graduate earnings of $33,305 make the $20,198 median debt burden significant for many programs.
What programs at Delgado Community College have the best ROI?
Nursing programs at Delgado provide the strongest return, with registered nursing graduates earning around $56,415 annually. Allied health and civil engineering technology programs also show decent earnings potential at $45,000-51,000, making them worthwhile investments.
How much debt do Delgado Community College graduates typically have?
Delgado graduates have a median debt of $20,198, which is manageable for nursing and allied health graduates but represents a significant burden for those in lower-paying programs. The low graduation rate means many students may accumulate debt without completing their degrees.
Should I attend Delgado Community College or a four-year university?
Delgado makes sense if you're pursuing nursing or allied health careers, as these programs offer direct job training at a lower cost than universities. For other fields, the low graduation rate and modest earnings suggest considering alternatives with better completion rates.