At $6,147/yr net price, Dodge City Community College graduates earn $45,427/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $11,427/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $6,147 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $24,588 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $45,427/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$11,427/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 2.2 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 31.0% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $8,800 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $3,967/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $4,690/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $6,163/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $9,130/yr |
| $110,001+ | $8,908/yr |
The Risk Factor
31.0% of students at Dodge City 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
Dodge City Community College gives you a low-cost path with modest but real returns. Net price sits around $6,000 a year, median debt lands under $9,000, and median earnings ten years out clear $45,000. That debt-to-earnings ratio is the strongest thing this school has going for it. You are not borrowing much, so even middling earnings pay the loans back without strain.
The weak spot is completion. Only 31% of students finish. If you drop out, you keep the debt and lose the credential that lifts earnings, which flips the whole equation against you. Your financial return here depends almost entirely on actually graduating, so treat that 31% as the number to beat.
No program-level salary data is listed for this school, so any claim about which majors pay off would be a guess. As a two-year college in a meatpacking and agriculture hub, your best bet is a career or technical program that ties directly to local employers, then either work or transfer to a four-year school. The $45,000 median is a two-year credential outcome, not a bachelor's outcome.
On price by income, families under $48,000 pay under $5,000 a year, and the lowest bracket pays under $4,000. Above $75,000, price roughly doubles to around $9,000. Even at the top tier, the cost stays low compared with most colleges.
This school is a good financial fit if you want cheap credits close to home and plan to finish or transfer. Look elsewhere if you want a specific bachelor's-level career outcome you can verify, since the data here does not show program earnings or a strong completion rate to back that up.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Dodge City Community College worth the money?
With a net price of $6,147 per year and graduates earning $45,427 annually after 10 years, Dodge City Community College offers a reasonable return on investment for a two-year school. The low debt burden of $8,800 median helps offset the modest earnings potential.
What is the graduation rate at Dodge City Community College?
Dodge City Community College has a 31% graduation rate, which is below average for community colleges. This means about 7 in 10 students who start here don't complete their programs.
How much debt do Dodge City Community College graduates have?
Graduates of Dodge City Community College carry a median debt of $8,800, which is manageable compared to four-year schools. The relatively low cost keeps student loan burdens light for those who complete their programs.
What programs at Dodge City Community College have the best job prospects?
Healthcare and skilled trade programs typically offer the strongest career outcomes at community colleges like Dodge City Community College. These fields often provide direct pathways to employment with wages above the school's average graduate earnings.