At $20,799/yr net price, Five Towns College graduates earn $35,887/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $1,887/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $20,799 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $83,196 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $35,887/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$1,887/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 44.1 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 49.0% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $21,500 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $15,245/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $16,452/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $23,393/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $31,943/yr |
| $110,001+ | $27,854/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Bachelor | $32,569 | |
| Music. | Bachelor | $28,019 | $27,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $25,194 | $25,000 |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts. | Bachelor | $17,652 | $23,737 |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft. | Bachelor | $16,169 |
The Risk Factor
49.0% of students at Five Towns College graduate within 6 years. More than half of students finish, but the dropout rate is a real factor in whether this investment pays off.
Analysis
The financial return at Five Towns College is weak. Ten years after enrolling, your median earnings sit below $36,000, while your median debt runs $21,500. For a private for-profit school charging over $20,000 a year, those numbers don't add up to a strong payoff.
The program mix is the core problem. Five Towns leans heavily into music, film, drama, and stagecraft, and none of these bachelor's programs pay well. Drama and film graduates earn roughly $16,000 to $18,000 a year, less than many jobs that require no degree at all. Music graduates land near $28,000 but carry the heaviest debt on the list at $27,000. The strongest earners come from Liberal Arts and Business Administration, and even those top out in the low $30,000s and mid-$20,000s. There is no program here that reliably clears the debt you take on.
The specific risk is borrowing arts-school money for arts-school wages. The Long Island performing-arts market is competitive and pays inconsistently, so your income after graduation can fall well below the median. A 49% graduation rate adds a second layer: half of you may leave with debt and no degree to show for it.
This school fits you if you're set on a music or performing-arts career, you understand the pay ceiling, and you can keep your borrowing low. Look elsewhere if you need a degree that pays back a five-figure loan on a predictable schedule.
On price, the aid tiers help most if your family earns under $48,000, where net price drops toward $15,000 to $16,000. Oddly, the $75,000-$110,000 band pays the most, nearly $32,000 a year, more than families earning over $110,000. If you land in that middle-upper range, run your own aid numbers before committing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Five Towns College worth the cost?
Five Towns College graduates earn a median of $35,887 after 10 years, which is low compared to the annual cost of $20,799. With nearly half of students not graduating and median debt of $21,500, the return on investment is poor for most programs.
What are the best paying programs at Five Towns College?
Liberal Arts graduates from Five Towns College earn the highest at $32,569 annually, followed by Music at $28,019. However, these earnings are still relatively low given the cost of attendance and debt levels.
How much debt do Five Towns College students graduate with?
Five Towns College graduates carry a median debt of $21,500. Given that most programs lead to starting salaries under $30,000, this debt burden may be difficult to manage for many graduates.
What is the graduation rate at Five Towns College?
Only 49% of students graduate from Five Towns College within six years. This means over half of students leave without completing their degree, often while still carrying student loan debt.