At $1,699/yr net price, Fresno City College graduates earn $37,361/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $3,361/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $1,699 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $6,796 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $37,361/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$3,361/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 2 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 28.3% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $4,058 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $987/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $667/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $3,594/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $8,249/yr |
| $110,001+ | $11,076/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 | $79,180 | $3,500 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Associate | $71,351 | |
| Legal Support Services. | Associate | $35,060 | |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Associate | $26,739 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Associate | $26,353 | |
| Human Services, General. | Associate | $25,774 | |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services. | Associate | $24,421 |
The Risk Factor
28.3% of students at Fresno City 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
Fresno City College is one of the cheapest paths into higher education you'll find, with a net price under $2,000 a year and median debt that a single semester of nursing pay could clear. That low cost is the whole financial argument here, because median earnings ten years out sit around $37,000, and the 28% graduation rate means most people who enroll don't finish.
Your major decides everything at this school. The nursing associate degree pays about $79,000, and allied health diagnostic and treatment programs land near $71,000. Those two are the reason to come here, and both feed directly into the Fresno and Central Valley hospital market. Below them the drop is steep. Legal support services pays roughly half of nursing, and criminal justice and business administration both land in the mid-$26,000 range, barely above the school's own median and close to what you'd earn without the credential. If you enroll in business or criminal justice expecting a payoff, the numbers don't support it.
The real risk is completion, not cost. Health programs like nursing are competitive and limited, so you can enter the school, fail to get into the program that pays, and leave with a low-value certificate or nothing. The debt is small, but three years of lost wages is the bigger price.
The net price tiers stay low until you cross $48,000 in family income, where price jumps from under $700 to $3,594, then to $8,249 above $75,000 and $11,076 above $110,000. If your family earns under $48,000, this is nearly free. Above that, run the math against your intended program.
Come here for nursing or allied health. If you want business or criminal justice, look at where those credentials actually pay before you commit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Fresno City College worth the cost?
Fresno City College offers strong value with a net cost of just $1,699 per year and low debt of around $4,000. The nursing programs provide excellent ROI with graduates earning nearly $80,000 annually, though other programs may lead to lower-paying careers.
What are the best paying programs at Fresno City College?
Registered nursing is the clear winner at Fresno City College, with graduates earning about $79,000 yearly. Allied health programs also pay well at $71,000, while business and criminal justice graduates typically earn around $26,000.
How much debt will I have after Fresno City College?
Most Fresno City College students graduate with minimal debt around $4,000. The low annual cost of $1,699 makes this one of the more affordable college options in California.
What is the graduation rate at Fresno City College?
Fresno City College has a 28% graduation rate, which is typical for community colleges but means many students don't complete their programs. Students in nursing and health programs tend to have higher completion rates than those in general studies.