At $19,590/yr net price, Delta College of Arts & Technology graduates earn $34,222/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $222/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $19,590 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $78,360 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $34,222/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$222/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 353 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 40.5% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $7,393 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $19,444/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $22,644/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $21,191/yr |
| $110,001+ | $16,612/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants. | Certificate | $37,424 | $12,000 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | Certificate | $23,021 | $5,843 |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions. | Certificate | $19,957 | $5,700 |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Certificate | $18,028 | $5,843 |
The Risk Factor
40.5% of students at Delta College of Arts & Technology 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
The financial return at Delta College of Arts & Technology is weak. You pay nearly $20,000 a year in net price, yet the median graduate earns about $34,000 a decade out. Spending that much annually at a two-year school to reach earnings barely above the local service-wage floor is a poor trade, and only 4 in 10 students finish at all.
Every program with earnings data here is a certificate, not a degree. Practical and vocational nursing is the one that comes closest to paying off, with graduates earning around $37,000. But that certificate also carries the highest debt on the list at $12,000, so the payoff is real but not clean. The health administration, dental support, and medical assisting certificates all land under $24,000 a year. Medical assisting bottoms out near $18,000 , you would earn about as much without the certificate, while still owing the debt.
The specific risk here is the gap between what you pay and what you get. Median debt of about $7,400 sounds modest, but it sits on top of a $19,590 sticker that outruns the earnings almost every program produces. The net price barely moves with income. If your family earns under $30,000, you still pay over $19,000, and the $30,000-$48,000 tier actually pays the most at $22,644. Higher earners over $110,000 pay the least. Low-income families get almost no price break here.
Delta is a fit for you only if you want the nursing certificate specifically and can complete it quickly. If you are considering the medical assisting or dental tracks, or you want a degree with room to grow, look at a community college where the price is a fraction of this and the earnings are comparable or better.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Delta College of Arts & Technology worth the cost?
With graduates earning $34,222 ten years after enrollment against a $19,590 annual net price, the financial return is modest. The low graduation rate of 40.5% means many students pay without completing their programs.
What are the best paying programs at Delta College of Arts & Technology?
Practical Nursing offers the highest earnings at $37,424 annually, making it the only program that provides a reasonable return on investment. Health and Medical Administrative Services pays significantly less at $23,021.
How much debt do Delta College of Arts & Technology graduates have?
The median debt of $7,393 is relatively low compared to many colleges. However, with starting salaries around $34,000, even this debt level represents a meaningful burden for graduates.
Does Delta College of Arts & Technology have good job placement rates?
The school's 40.5% graduation rate suggests significant completion challenges, which typically correlates with poor job placement outcomes. Students should carefully research employment rates for their specific program before enrolling.