At $13,362/yr net price, Hocking College graduates earn $37,791/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $3,791/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $13,362 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $53,448 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $37,791/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$3,791/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 14.1 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 29.0% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $11,584 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $11,187/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $12,309/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $13,970/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $16,303/yr |
| $110,001+ | $16,749/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 | $52,684 | $15,750 |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Associate | $38,289 | $13,234 |
| Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians. | Associate | $30,771 | |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Associate | $28,055 | $12,000 |
| Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management. | Associate | $26,519 | $11,000 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | Associate | $25,194 | |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services. | Associate | $24,035 | |
| Specialized Sales, Merchandising and Marketing Operations. | Associate | $23,456 | $14,906 |
| Natural Resources Management and Policy. | Associate | $22,329 | $11,000 |
| Arts, Entertainment,and Media Management. | Associate | $17,859 |
The Risk Factor
29.0% of students at Hocking 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
Hocking College sits in mixed territory. The median graduate earns about $37,800 ten years out, and median debt stays low at $11,584, so you likely won't be buried by loans. But the 29% graduation rate is the number that should worry you: most people who enroll here don't finish, and a credential you don't complete leaves you with debt and no payoff.
The nursing associate degree is the clear winner. At roughly $52,700, it pays nearly double what the wildlife management or corrections programs return. Even with the highest debt load on the list at $15,750, nursing earnings make that debt easy to service. Allied health and medical assisting comes in second at around $38,300, still a workable return for a two-year credential.
The bottom of the list is where the math turns against you. Wildlife and Wildlands Science earns about $26,500, and Criminal Justice and Corrections about $28,000. Both leave you with $11,000 to $12,000 in debt for earnings that barely clear entry-level wages in rural southeast Ohio. If you're drawn to these fields for the work itself, go in knowing the paycheck won't move much.
Net price runs about $11,200 if your family earns under $30k and climbs past $16,700 above $110k. Even at the low end, you're paying real money for a program where the completion odds are against you.
This school fits you if you're aiming at nursing or allied health and you're confident you'll finish. Pick one of those tracks, complete it, and the return works. If you're leaning toward the lower-earning programs, or you're unsure you'll graduate, the combination of a 29% grad rate and sub-$38k median earnings makes this a risky bet worth reconsidering.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hocking College worth the money?
Hocking College has a low net price at $13,362 per year, but graduates earn only $37,791 ten years after enrollment. The 29% graduation rate means most students don't finish, making the investment risky for many.
What are the best paying programs at Hocking College?
Nursing programs at Hocking College offer the strongest return, with graduates earning around $52,684. Allied health programs pay about $38,289, while other popular programs like criminal justice and wildlife management pay significantly less at $28,055 and $26,519 respectively.
How much debt do Hocking College students graduate with?
Hocking College graduates have a median debt of $11,584, which is relatively low compared to many schools. However, with the low graduation rate, many students may accumulate debt without completing their degree.
Does Hocking College have good job placement after graduation?
While Hocking College focuses on career training, the 10-year median earnings of $37,791 suggest mixed job market success. Nursing and allied health graduates do better, but other programs may struggle to provide strong career outcomes.