At $12,158/yr net price, Glendale Community College graduates earn $43,108/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $9,108/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $12,158 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $48,632 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $43,108/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$9,108/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 5.3 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 14.4% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $6,960 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $10,978/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $11,805/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $13,975/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $15,912/yr |
| $110,001+ | $16,914/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 | $60,025 | $6,696 |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies. | Associate | $35,330 | |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Associate | $33,993 | |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Certificate | $33,138 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Associate | $30,771 | |
| Fine and Studio Arts. | Certificate | $28,236 | |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Associate | $24,351 | $6,176 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Associate | $23,649 |
The Risk Factor
14.4% 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 financial picture that leans cautious. You borrow little,a median debt under $7,000 means you can walk away without a loan burden hanging over you. But the payoff is thin: median earnings ten years out sit in the low $40,000s, and only about one in seven students finishes. That combination is the core problem here. Low debt only helps you if you graduate, and most students don't.
The graduation rate is the risk you need to weigh most. At 14.4%, the odds of walking out with a credential are stacked against you, and a partial run costs you tuition and time without the earnings bump a completed degree brings. If you enroll here, treat finishing as the whole point,stopping halfway leaves you with the cost and none of the return.
No bachelor-level program earnings are listed for this school, so there's no way to point you toward a major that pays and away from one that doesn't. Judge this as a transfer and associate-degree starting point, where the value comes from moving on to a four-year school cheaply, not from the earnings shown here.
The net price tiers reward lower incomes. If your family earns under $30,000, you pay roughly $11,000 a year. above $110,000, closer to $17,000. The gap is real but modest,this isn't a school that heavily discounts for low-income families the way some private colleges do.
This school fits you if you want a low-cost, low-debt route to transfer credits or a specific associate credential and you're confident you'll finish. If you need strong direct-to-workforce earnings or a high completion rate to stay on track, look elsewhere.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Glendale Community College worth the money?
With a net price of $12,158 per year and median earnings of $43,108 after 10 years, Glendale Community College offers reasonable value for specific programs like nursing. However, the 14% graduation rate means many students don't finish their programs.
What are the best paying programs at Glendale Community College?
Nursing programs at Glendale Community College lead to the highest earnings at $60,025 annually, making them the clear financial winners. Vehicle maintenance and repair pays $35,330, while business and criminal justice programs earn around $31,000-34,000.
How much student debt do Glendale Community College graduates have?
Glendale Community College graduates have a median debt of $6,960, which is manageable compared to four-year schools. The low debt load makes the school less risky financially, especially for students who complete their programs.
Why is Glendale Community College's graduation rate so low?
Only 14% of students graduate from Glendale Community College, which is below average even for community colleges. This low completion rate means many students pay tuition without earning a degree, making the investment risky despite the affordable cost.