At $4,929/yr net price, Hillsborough Community College graduates earn $40,782/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $6,782/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $4,929 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $19,716 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $40,782/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$6,782/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 2.9 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 33.2% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $9,762 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $4,905/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $6,660/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $5,485/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $10,168/yr |
| $110,001+ | $10,168/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 | $56,415 | $12,710 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Certificate | $47,846 | $8,127 |
| Ophthalmic and Optometric Support Services and Allied Professions. | Associate | $47,260 | $12,000 |
| Fire Protection. | Certificate | $40,896 | |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Certificate | $38,289 | $5,500 |
| Veterinary/Animal Health Technologies/Technicians. | Associate | $31,708 | |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies. | Certificate | $30,771 | $7,306 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Associate | $30,119 | $12,586 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Associate | $27,457 | $9,500 |
The Risk Factor
33.2% of students at Hillsborough 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
Hillsborough Community College keeps costs low and debt small, which is the strongest part of its financial picture. At under $5,000 a year in net price and a median debt below $10,000, you are not taking a big financial gamble to enroll. The problem is what comes after: median earnings ten years out sit right around $40,000, and only a third of students finish. Those two numbers are the real story here.
The graduation rate is the biggest risk you face. If you leave without a credential, you carry whatever debt you took on and get little of the earnings bump the degree was supposed to buy. Two-thirds of students hit that outcome. Before you enroll, look hard at whether you can realistically finish, because the school's own track record says most don't.
No bachelor-level program earnings are listed here, so treat any specific major's payoff as unproven from this data. What you can lean on is the low price and low debt, which make HCC a reasonable place to start if you plan to transfer to a four-year school and finish there. As a terminal stop, the $40,000 median suggests modest returns.
On price by income, the tiers move in an odd way. Families under $30,000 pay about $4,900, but families in the $30,000-$48,000 range pay more, around $6,660. If you sit over $75,000, your net price roughly doubles to about $10,200. Even that top figure stays affordable compared to most colleges.
HCC fits you if you want a cheap, low-debt entry point and have a concrete plan to finish or transfer. Look elsewhere if you need a school that reliably graduates its students on its own.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hillsborough Community College worth the money?
At $4,929 per year with median debt of only $9,762, Hillsborough Community College offers strong value for specific career programs. Nursing graduates earn $56,415 annually, making the investment worthwhile, but the 33% graduation rate means many students don't finish.
What are the best paying programs at Hillsborough Community College?
Registered Nursing leads with $56,415 average earnings, followed by Criminal Justice at $47,846 and Ophthalmic/Optometric Support at $47,260. These programs justify the costs, while other fields may not provide strong returns.
How much debt do Hillsborough Community College graduates have?
The median debt is $9,762, which is manageable compared to four-year schools. However, with only 33% of students graduating, many leave with debt but no degree.
Do Hillsborough Community College graduates get good jobs?
Ten years after enrollment, graduates earn $40,782 on average. This varies widely by program, with nursing and criminal justice offering solid career prospects while other fields lag behind.