At $14,186/yr net price, Finger Lakes Community College graduates earn $40,054/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $6,054/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $14,186 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $56,744 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $40,054/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$6,054/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 9.4 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 28.0% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $12,975 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $11,494/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $12,782/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $15,676/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $17,476/yr |
| $110,001+ | $18,985/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 | $56,566 | $20,219 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Certificate | $48,432 | |
| Food Science and Technology. | Associate | $29,685 | |
| Legal Support Services. | Associate | $28,598 | |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Associate | $27,642 | $16,743 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Associate | $26,585 | |
| Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management. | Associate | $25,967 | |
| Natural Resources Conservation and Research. | Associate | $25,194 | |
| Somatic Bodywork and Related Therapeutic Services. | Associate | $25,194 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Associate | $24,035 | $11,000 |
The Risk Factor
28.0% of students at Finger Lakes 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
Finger Lakes Community College gives you a mixed financial return that hinges almost entirely on which program you pick. The median graduate earns about $40,000 ten years out against a net price near $14,000 a year, and the debt load stays low at around $13,000. That debt figure is the strongest thing here. You are unlikely to leave buried, but the payoff depends heavily on your major.
Nursing is the clear winner. At roughly $56,500, the associate nursing track pays nearly double what Food Science graduates earn, and it plugs straight into the hospital and long-term care jobs across the Finger Lakes and Rochester region. Allied Health follows close behind. If you come here for one of these two, the math works.
The other tracks are harder to justify on money alone. Food Science, Legal Support, and Accounting all land under $30,000, below the school's own median. Accounting in particular carries about $17,000 in debt for a payoff near $27,600, which is a weak trade. These are transfer-oriented or entry-level credentials, and the earnings show it.
The biggest risk is the 28% graduation rate. Nearly three in four students don't finish, and a non-completer still owes the net price without the credential that makes it pay. If you are unsure you'll finish, that risk is real for you.
Net price barely moves by income here. Families under $30,000 pay about $11,500 while those over $110,000 pay roughly $19,000, so the sliding scale is shallow compared to many schools. This school fits you if you're targeting nursing or allied health and can commit to finishing. If you're eyeing accounting or a general transfer path, price out a four-year school before you enroll.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Finger Lakes Community College worth the money?
Finger Lakes Community College offers decent value if you complete a nursing or allied health program, with graduates earning $48,000-$57,000 annually. However, the 28% graduation rate means many students don't finish, and other programs lead to salaries around $28,000-$30,000.
What are the best paying programs at Finger Lakes Community College?
Registered nursing graduates from Finger Lakes Community College earn the highest salaries at $56,566 annually, followed by allied health programs at $48,432. Other programs like accounting and legal support pay significantly less at around $28,000.
How much debt do Finger Lakes Community College students graduate with?
The median debt for Finger Lakes Community College graduates is $12,975, which is manageable compared to four-year schools. This debt level works for nursing graduates but may be harder to repay for students in lower-paying programs.
What is the graduation rate at Finger Lakes Community College?
Only 28% of students graduate from Finger Lakes Community College within three years. This low completion rate means many students accumulate debt without earning a degree, making the financial risk higher than the numbers suggest.