At $5,359/yr net price, Highland Community College graduates earn $37,928/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $3,928/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $5,359 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $21,436 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $37,928/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$3,928/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 5.5 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 46.0% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $8,029 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $3,506/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $4,321/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $6,903/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $11,274/yr |
| $110,001+ | $12,397/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 | $53,497 | $12,786 |
| Biological and Physical Sciences. | Associate | $24,730 | |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Associate | $21,781 | $8,000 |
The Risk Factor
46.0% of students at Highland Community College graduate within 6 years. More than half of students finish, but the dropout rate is a real factor in whether this investment pays off.
Analysis
Highland Community College gives you a low-cost start with a modest payoff. You graduate with under $10,000 in median debt and pay a net price that stays affordable, but median earnings ten years out sit below $38,000. That return is mixed: cheap enough to limit your risk, but not high enough to lift you far.
Nursing is the clear win here. The associate nursing track pays more than double what the general liberal arts and biological/physical sciences programs return, and it does so even though nursing carries the highest debt of the three. If you finish the nursing program, your earnings justify the extra borrowing. The other two associate paths are where the numbers turn weak. Biological and physical sciences and general liberal arts graduates earn barely over $20,000, which is a poor payoff on its own. Treat those as transfer stepping stones toward a four-year degree, not endpoints.
The main risk is the 46% graduation rate. Fewer than half of you finish, and the affordable price only helps if you leave with a credential. Dropping out means you carry cost and time with little earnings gain.
Your net price depends heavily on family income. If your family earns under $48,000, you pay roughly a third to half of what families over $110,000 pay. The jump between the $48-75k and $75-110k tiers is steep, so higher-earning families should compare this against other options before assuming it's the cheap choice.
This school fits you if you want the nursing program or plan to transfer after two low-cost years. Look elsewhere if you intend to stop at an associate degree in the general studies or science tracks, where the earnings don't support even modest borrowing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Highland Community College worth the cost compared to other schools?
Highland Community College offers strong value with a low net price of $5,359 per year and minimal debt at graduation ($8,029 median). However, the 46% graduation rate means many students don't finish, which significantly reduces the return on investment.
What Highland Community College programs have the best job prospects?
Nursing programs at Highland Community College show strong earnings potential at $53,497 annually, making them worthwhile investments. Liberal arts graduates earn much less at $21,781, barely above the poverty line for many areas.
How much debt do Highland Community College graduates typically have?
Highland Community College graduates have relatively low debt with a median of $8,029. This manageable debt load makes the school less risky than four-year institutions, even with modest post-graduation earnings.
Do Highland Community College graduates earn enough to justify the education cost?
Highland Community College graduates earn $37,928 on average after 10 years, which covers the low cost of attendance. The return depends heavily on your program choice, with nursing graduates earning significantly more than liberal arts students.