At $5,980/yr net price, Holmes Community College graduates earn $32,922/yr within 10 years of enrollment.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $5,980 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $23,920 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $32,922/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | $-1,078/yr |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 45.4% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $9,274 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $5,963/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $7,686/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $10,910/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 | $52,420 | $15,216 |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Associate | $49,423 | $13,250 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Associate | $43,798 | |
| Funeral Service and Mortuary Science. | Associate | $36,674 | |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants. | Certificate | $36,324 | $8,500 |
| Business/Commerce, General. | Associate | $25,967 | $9,500 |
| Legal Support Services. | Associate | $25,774 | |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Associate | $25,774 | |
| Precision Metal Working. | Certificate | $24,679 | |
| Health/Medical Preparatory Programs. | Associate | $23,166 | $6,334 |
The Risk Factor
45.4% of students at Holmes 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
Holmes Community College gives you a low-cost path with a modest payoff that depends almost entirely on which program you pick. At under $6,000 a year and a median debt near $9,300, the upfront risk is small. But the median graduate earns just under $33,000 a decade out, which barely clears what a full-time job at low wages pays. The return is only strong if you land in one of the health fields.
Nursing is where the money is here. The associate nursing track pays more than $52,000, and even after carrying the highest program debt on the list, that spread is worth it. Allied health and medical assisting come in close behind. These programs feed directly into hospital and clinic jobs across central Mississippi, where demand for nurses and technicians stays steady. The practical nursing certificate pays over $36,000 while leaving you with the least debt of any listed program, which makes it the safest low-cost bet if you want to work fast.
Funeral service pays the least of the named programs and still requires an associate degree, so weigh that before committing. Anything outside the health cluster is not represented in the earnings data, which means you're taking a chance on a payoff the numbers here can't back up.
The financial risk is finishing. Fewer than half of students graduate, and the low sticker price only helps if you walk away with the credential. Drop out with debt and no degree and the math turns against you.
If your family earns under $30,000, you'll pay the least and face the smallest gap to fill. Once income climbs past $75,000, your net price nearly doubles, so the value case rests more heavily on you choosing nursing or allied health.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Holmes Community College worth the money?
Holmes Community College offers good value with low costs ($5,980 per year) and manageable debt ($9,274 median). However, the 45% graduation rate means many students don't finish, and average earnings of $33,000 after 10 years are below national averages.
What are the best paying programs at Holmes Community College?
Registered nursing programs lead with $52,420 average earnings, followed by allied health services at $49,423. These healthcare programs significantly outperform the school's overall graduate earnings of $33,000.
How much debt do Holmes Community College graduates have?
Holmes Community College graduates carry a median debt of $9,274, which is relatively low for higher education. The low net price of under $6,000 per year helps keep borrowing minimal compared to four-year institutions.
Does Holmes Community College have good job outcomes?
Job outcomes vary dramatically by program at Holmes Community College. Nursing and allied health graduates earn $36,000-$52,000, while other programs may struggle to reach the school's $33,000 average.