At $10,854/yr net price, Front Range Community College graduates earn $45,910/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $11,910/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $10,854 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $43,416 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $45,910/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$11,910/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 3.6 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 30.1% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $12,251 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $7,977/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $8,836/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $11,468/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $16,434/yr |
| $110,001+ | $18,087/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 | $55,607 | $20,000 |
| Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians. | Associate | $47,260 | |
| Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications. | Associate | $42,123 | $17,000 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Associate | $39,249 | $19,405 |
| Geography and Cartography. | Certificate | $38,289 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Certificate | $37,779 | $11,000 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Associate | $35,701 | $14,925 |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants. | Certificate | $35,416 | $9,500 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Certificate | $34,942 | $6,500 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Certificate | $32,925 | $12,875 |
The Risk Factor
30.1% of students at Front Range 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
Front Range Community College gives you a low-cost, low-debt path with modest earnings on the other side. Median debt sits around $12,251, and the net price of $10,854 a year keeps your total borrowing manageable. That matters because your median earnings ten years out land at $45,910 , enough to service that debt, but not enough to build much beyond it. The financial return here is real but small, and it depends heavily on you finishing.
The biggest risk is the 30% graduation rate. If you leave without a credential, you keep the debt and lose the earnings bump that makes the price worth paying. Community college transfer paths and shifting between jobs and classes make that dropout risk higher than the sticker price suggests. Go in with a clear finish line, or the math stops working for you.
No bachelor-level program earnings are listed here, so treat any specific major's payoff as unknown. Judge programs by whether they connect directly to a Colorado job , trades, nursing, and technical certificates that lead straight to work will pay off faster than general-transfer tracks where the real earnings only arrive after a four-year degree elsewhere.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families. Under $30k, you pay $7,977. over $110k, you pay $18,087 , more than double. If your family earns under $48k, this is one of the cheaper ways into higher education in the Denver metro. If you earn over $75k, the price climbs fast and the $45,910 payoff looks thinner against what you're spending.
This school fits you if you want a low-debt start, a clear vocational goal, or a cheap transfer launch you will actually complete. If you need strong earnings from a four-year degree alone, look elsewhere.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Front Range Community College worth the cost?
Front Range Community College offers decent value with a net price of $10,854 annually and graduates earning $45,910 after 10 years. However, the 30% graduation rate means many students don't finish their programs.
What are the best paying programs at Front Range Community College?
Nursing programs at Front Range Community College lead to the highest earnings at $55,607 annually, followed by drafting and engineering technology at $47,260. These programs justify the investment better than lower-paying options like geography.
How much debt do Front Range Community College graduates have?
Front Range Community College graduates carry a median debt of $12,251, which is manageable compared to four-year schools. The low debt load helps make the investment worthwhile for students who complete their programs.
Does Front Range Community College have a good graduation rate?
Front Range Community College has a 30% graduation rate, meaning 7 out of 10 students don't finish their programs. This low completion rate is the biggest risk factor when considering the school's value.