At $6,358/yr net price, Erie Community College graduates earn $41,228/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $7,228/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $6,358 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $25,432 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $41,228/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$7,228/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 3.5 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 27.1% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $9,250 |
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 | $5,776/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $8,521/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $11,010/yr |
| $110,001+ | $12,039/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 | $64,245 | $13,324 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Associate | $46,087 | $13,000 |
| Precision Systems Maintenance and Repair Technologies. | Certificate | $42,682 | |
| Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians. | Associate | $42,682 | |
| Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians. | Associate | $41,342 | |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Certificate | $39,585 | $9,250 |
| Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management. | Certificate | $33,993 | |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies. | Associate | $33,382 | $10,859 |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR). | Certificate | $30,771 | |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | Associate | $29,685 |
The Risk Factor
27.1% of students at Erie 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
Erie Community College gives you a low-cost entry point with a payoff that depends almost entirely on what you study. You borrow little and pay a modest net price, so the downside risk is small in dollar terms. The catch is the 27% graduation rate: most people who enroll don't finish, and a credential you never earn returns nothing on the time and money you put in.
Nursing is the clear win here. The associate nursing track earns roughly $23,000 more per year than the typical graduate, enough to clear its higher debt load fast. Allied health, electrical engineering technology, and industrial production technology all land in the low-to-mid $40,000s, which beats the school-wide median and points toward Buffalo's steady demand for hospital and skilled-trade workers. The Precision Systems certificate matches those associate-level earnings without requiring a full degree, so it's a fast route to a technician wage.
Outside those hands-on fields, the picture weakens. The median graduate earns $41,228, and no bachelor-level program data exists here because this is a two-year school. If you enroll without a specific technical or nursing goal, you're betting on the school's median, not its top programs.
On price, the tiers matter. If your family earns under $30,000, you pay $4,379 a year. over $110,000, you pay nearly triple that. Lower-income families get the strongest deal, and the small $9,250 median debt means you can walk away without a heavy loan even if a program doesn't work out.
This school fits you if you want a nursing or technical credential and will actually finish it. If you're undecided or aiming for a career that needs a bachelor's degree, treat Erie as a cheap transfer step or look elsewhere.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Erie Community College worth the cost?
Erie Community College offers solid value with a low net price of $6,358 per year and median debt of only $9,250. However, the 27% graduation rate means many students don't finish, which significantly impacts ROI for those who drop out.
What are the highest paying programs at Erie Community College?
Nursing programs lead with $64,245 average earnings, followed by allied health fields at $46,087. Technical programs like precision maintenance and electrical engineering both average around $42,682, well above the overall school average of $41,228.
How much debt do Erie Community College graduates have?
Erie Community College graduates carry a median debt of $9,250, which is relatively low for higher education. The affordable tuition keeps debt manageable compared to four-year institutions.
Do Erie Community College graduates make good money after graduation?
Average earnings of $41,228 ten years after enrollment are modest but reasonable for a community college. Nursing and technical program graduates earn significantly more, while other fields may struggle to justify even the low costs.