At $6,396/yr net price, Garrett College graduates earn $35,823/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $1,823/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $6,396 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $25,584 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $35,823/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$1,823/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 14 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 31.7% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $10,750 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $4,469/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $5,415/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $8,262/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $10,567/yr |
| $110,001+ | $10,737/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management. | Associate | $21,964 | |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Associate | $19,227 | $12,833 |
The Risk Factor
31.7% of students at Garrett 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
Garrett College costs little upfront but pays back slowly. At roughly $6,400 a year net and $10,750 in median debt, your out-of-pocket exposure is low for a college degree. The problem is what comes after: median earnings ten years out sit under $36,000, which is modest even for an associate-focused public school.
The program-level numbers make the risk clearer. The two associate programs with reported earnings, Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management and Liberal Arts and Sciences, come in around $22,000 and $19,000 respectively. Those are transfer-oriented and low-wage tracks. If you stop at the associate degree in either, the earnings data suggests you will not clear much more than a job requiring no degree at all. Liberal Arts also carries higher debt ($12,833) than its earnings justify on their own, so it only makes sense as a stepping stone to a four-year school.
The biggest financial risk here is the 31.7% graduation rate. Two out of three students who enroll do not finish. If you borrow and leave without the credential, you get the debt without the degree, and the low earnings ceiling gives you little room to recover.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families most. Under $30,000 income, you pay about $4,500. above $75,000, you pay closer to $10,600. The gap is real but small in absolute dollars, so the affordability case is strongest if your family earns under $48,000.
Garrett fits you if you plan to transfer, want to keep costs and debt low, and treat this as the first two years of a bachelor's degree. If you need an associate degree that leads straight to a well-paying job, the earnings data here does not support that plan, and you should look at programs with stronger wage outcomes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Garrett College worth the cost compared to other schools?
Garrett College's low net price of $6,396 per year makes it affordable, but graduates earn just $35,823 annually after 10 years. The combination of low costs and low earnings means limited financial upside compared to four-year institutions.
What programs at Garrett College have the best return on investment?
Wildlife and Wildlands Science graduates earn $21,964 annually, which is below the national average but reasonable given the field. Liberal Arts graduates earn only $19,227, making this program a poor financial choice.
How much debt do Garrett College students typically graduate with?
The median debt is $10,750, which is manageable compared to four-year schools. However, with low post-graduation earnings around $35,823, even this modest debt load represents a significant portion of income.
Does Garrett College have good graduation rates for the money?
Only 31.7% of students graduate, which is concerning even for a community college. The low completion rate means many students leave with debt but no degree to show for their investment.