At $24,791/yr net price, Harcum College graduates earn $46,827/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $12,827/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $24,791 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $99,164 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $46,827/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$12,827/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 7.7 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 38.8% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $18,440 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $22,536/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $20,220/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $27,269/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $31,503/yr |
| $110,001+ | $34,692/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 | $64,990 | $21,000 |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Associate | $54,880 | $20,000 |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions. | Associate | $46,478 | $19,915 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Associate | $42,682 | |
| Veterinary/Animal Health Technologies/Technicians. | Associate | $32,925 | $18,500 |
| Human Services, General. | Associate | $28,960 | $20,511 |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services. | Associate | $22,094 | $18,440 |
The Risk Factor
38.8% of students at Harcum 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
Harcum College gives you a mixed financial picture that depends almost entirely on which associate program you pick. At roughly $24,800 a year net, this is an expensive two-year school, and the median earnings a decade out land in the mid-$40,000s. Your return hinges on whether you graduate at all, since fewer than four in ten students finish.
Nursing is where the money is. The associate nursing track pays around $65,000, nearly double what veterinary technology graduates earn at roughly $33,000, even though both carry similar debt loads near $20,000. Medical assisting and dental support also clear the school-wide median, so the health fields carry Harcum's ROI. The veterinary program is the weak spot: you take on comparable debt for earnings that barely beat what many jobs pay without any degree at all.
The main risk here is the graduation rate combined with the price. If you borrow, start a program, and don't finish, you leave with debt and no credential to pay it back. That risk is heaviest in the lower-earning tracks, where even completing the degree leaves thin margin over the cost.
The net price tiers work backwards from what you might expect. Families earning under $48,000 pay the least, around $20,000 to $22,000, while families over $110,000 pay closer to $34,700. If your household earns between $48,000 and $75,000, you pay more than the lowest-income group but get less grant support, so the value is tighter for you.
Harcum is a good fit if you enter the nursing or medical assisting programs, finish, and go straight to work in the Philadelphia-area health system. If you're drawn to the veterinary track or unsure you'll complete the degree, the cost is hard to justify and you should look at cheaper community college options first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Harcum College worth the cost?
Harcum College's value depends heavily on your program choice. Nursing graduates earn $65,000 annually, making the $25,000 yearly cost reasonable, but other programs like veterinary technology lead to $33,000 salaries that may not justify the expense.
What is the ROI for Harcum College graduates?
Overall graduate earnings of $47,000 after 10 years barely double the annual cost of attendance. The low 39% graduation rate means many students leave with debt but no degree, significantly worsening the financial outcome.
Which Harcum College programs have the best job prospects?
Nursing programs at Harcum College offer the strongest return with $65,000 starting salaries. Allied health programs earn around $55,000, while dental support services graduates make $46,000 annually.
How much debt do Harcum College students typically graduate with?
Harcum College graduates carry a median debt of $18,440, which is manageable for nursing majors but concerning for lower-paying programs. With only 39% of students completing their degrees, many accumulate debt without the credential needed for career advancement.