At $5,170/yr net price, El Camino Community College District graduates earn $41,589/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $7,589/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $5,170 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $20,680 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $41,589/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$7,589/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 2.7 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 36.7% |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $4,379/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $4,632/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $7,461/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $9,809/yr |
| $110,001+ | $10,042/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 | $63,005 | |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Associate | $54,661 | |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Associate | $31,423 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Associate | $29,685 | |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Associate | $25,281 |
The Risk Factor
36.7% of students at El Camino Community College District 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
El Camino's numbers work best if you finish a health credential and fall apart if you don't. The $5,170 net price is low, but the 36.7% graduation rate means most people who enroll leave without a degree, and the $41,589 median earnings ten years out reflects that mix of finishers and dropouts.
The associate nursing program is the clear payoff. At $63,005, it more than doubles what the criminal justice associate returns, and it clears the school-wide median by over $21,000. Allied Health is the second solid bet. Both are direct routes into Torrance-area hospital and clinical jobs, which is why they pay.
The other three programs are where the caution comes in. Liberal Arts, Business Administration, and Criminal Justice associates all land below the school median, and Criminal Justice at $25,281 barely clears entry-level wages. A liberal arts or general studies associate here only makes financial sense as a transfer step toward a bachelor's elsewhere, not as an endpoint.
The specific risk at El Camino is finishing at all. With nearly two-thirds not graduating, the low tuition can still turn into a bad deal if you leave with debt and no credential. The programs that pay are also the competitive, capacity-limited ones, so a seat in nursing is not guaranteed.
On price by income, the jump is steep once you cross $48k. Families under $48k pay around $4,400 to $4,600, but between $48-75k the net price climbs to $7,461, and over $110k it hits $10,042. If your family earns under $48k, this is one of the cheaper starts available to you.
Come here for nursing or allied health, or to transfer cheaply. If you want a terminal associate in business, criminal justice, or general studies, the earnings don't justify treating it as your finish line.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is El Camino Community College District worth the cost?
With a net price of $5,170 per year and graduates earning $41,589 after 10 years, El Camino offers decent value for the low cost. However, the 37% graduation rate means many students don't finish their programs.
What are the highest paying programs at El Camino Community College District?
Nursing programs at El Camino lead to the strongest earnings at $63,005 annually, followed by allied health fields at $54,661. Liberal arts graduates earn significantly less at $31,423, while criminal justice majors average just $25,281.
How much debt do El Camino Community College District graduates have?
As a community college, El Camino has very low costs at $5,170 per year, meaning most students graduate with minimal debt. The bigger risk is not graduating at all, which affects nearly two-thirds of students.
Should I attend El Camino Community College District for liberal arts?
Liberal arts graduates from El Camino earn $31,423 after 10 years, which is low even for community college standards. Consider focusing on nursing or allied health programs instead, which offer much better earning potential.