At $7,461/yr net price, Glendale Community College graduates earn $41,540/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $7,540/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $7,461 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $29,844 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $41,540/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$7,540/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 4 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 33.3% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $8,972 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $6,488/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $7,466/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $10,152/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $11,876/yr |
| $110,001+ | $14,629/yr |
The Risk Factor
33.3% of students at Glendale 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
Glendale Community College gives you a low-cost, low-debt path with modest earnings on the other end. You borrow little,median debt sits under $9,000,and pay a net price close to $7,500 a year. That keeps your downside small. But the payoff is limited: median earnings a decade out land near $41,500, so this is a school where the value comes from keeping costs down, not from a big salary jump.
The biggest financial risk here is the graduation rate. Only about a third of students finish. If you enroll, pay tuition, and leave without a credential, you get the cost without the return. That is the main way this school stops paying off for you. The debt numbers look reasonable partly because many students who don't finish also don't borrow much,but low debt means little if you walk away with no degree and the same earnings you'd have without enrolling.
No bachelor-level program earnings are listed for Glendale, so treat any single major as a question mark on pay. As a two-year school, your smartest financial move is often transferring to a four-year program or finishing a credential that feeds directly into local hiring. Using Glendale as a cheap first two years before transferring is where the math works best.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families most. If your family earns under $30,000, you pay roughly $6,500. over $110,000, that climbs to more than $14,600. The gap between the lowest and highest tiers is over $8,000 a year, so your income level meaningfully changes the deal.
This school fits you if you want to control costs, live in the Glendale area, and plan to either transfer or finish quickly. If you need higher guaranteed earnings or worry about finishing, look at schools with stronger completion rates.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Glendale Community College worth the money?
Glendale Community College offers solid value with a low net price of $7,461 per year and manageable debt of $8,972. However, the 33% graduation rate is concerning, and 10-year earnings of $41,540 are modest for the Los Angeles area.
What is the ROI for Glendale Community College graduates?
Glendale Community College graduates earn a median of $41,540 ten years after enrollment, which provides a reasonable return given the low cost. The debt-to-income ratio is favorable, but earnings may struggle to keep pace with California's high cost of living.
How much debt do Glendale Community College students graduate with?
Glendale Community College students graduate with a median debt of $8,972, which is relatively low for California schools. This manageable debt load reduces financial risk, especially for students who complete their programs.
Should I attend Glendale Community College or a four-year university?
Glendale Community College makes sense if you plan to transfer to a four-year school or need specific career training at low cost. The 33% graduation rate suggests many students struggle to complete programs, so having a clear plan is important.