At $12,211/yr net price, Estrella Mountain Community College graduates earn $44,356/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $10,356/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $12,211 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $48,844 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $44,356/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$10,356/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 4.7 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 24.6% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $7,500 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $10,977/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $11,006/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $13,620/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $16,004/yr |
| $110,001+ | $16,523/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 | $55,512 | $7,449 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Certificate | $33,459 | |
| Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications. | Associate | $33,281 | |
| Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services. | Certificate | $28,133 | |
| Fine and Studio Arts. | Certificate | $27,947 | |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | Certificate | $27,181 | |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services. | Associate | $26,739 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Associate | $26,739 | |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Certificate | $26,643 | |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Associate | $25,580 | $7,419 |
The Risk Factor
24.6% of students at Estrella Mountain 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
Estrella Mountain Community College gives you a low-debt, moderate-return path. Median debt sits at $7,500, one of the lowest figures you'll see, and median earnings ten years out land at $44,356. That combination means you're unlikely to get buried, but you're also not walking into high pay by default.
Nursing is the clear winner here. The associate degree in Registered Nursing pays about $55,512, roughly $22,000 more than the next program, Allied Health, and it carries debt near the school-wide median. If you can get into and finish the nursing program, the math works strongly in your favor for the Phoenix-area healthcare market.
Everything below nursing pays thin. Computer Systems Networking, at $33,281, lands in the low $30s, and the certificate programs in language studies and fine arts sit in the high $20s. A fine arts certificate paying under $28,000 barely clears entry-level work, and it's a weak financial bet unless you're using it as a stepping stone.
The biggest risk is the 24.6% graduation rate. Three of four starters don't finish on time, and if you leave without a credential, you carry cost without the earnings bump. Your ROI here depends almost entirely on completing.
Net price barely moves with income. Families under $48k pay around $11,000, and families over $110k pay about $16,500 , a smaller gap than most schools, meaning lower earners get less discount than you'd expect.
This school fits you if you're targeting nursing or allied health and want low debt close to home. Look elsewhere if you're chasing the arts or language certificates for direct earnings, or if you're unsure you'll finish.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Estrella Mountain Community College worth the cost?
Estrella Mountain Community College offers decent value for specific programs, particularly nursing which leads to $55,512 annual earnings. However, the overall 10-year median earnings of $44,356 and low 24.6% graduation rate make it a risky investment for many students.
What programs at Estrella Mountain Community College have the best ROI?
Nursing programs at Estrella Mountain Community College provide the strongest return, with graduates earning around $55,512 annually. Allied health and computer networking programs also offer reasonable prospects, while fine arts graduates typically earn just $27,947.
How much debt do Estrella Mountain Community College graduates have?
Estrella Mountain Community College graduates carry a median debt of $7,500, which is relatively manageable compared to four-year schools. The low debt load helps offset concerns about the modest earning potential for most programs.
What is the graduation rate at Estrella Mountain Community College?
Only 24.6% of students graduate from Estrella Mountain Community College, which is concerning for return on investment. This low completion rate means many students may accumulate debt and time without earning a credential.