At $6,860/yr net price, Holyoke Community College graduates earn $37,277/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $3,277/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $6,860 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $27,440 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $37,277/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$3,277/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 8.4 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 31.8% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $8,250 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $5,173/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $5,581/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $7,588/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $11,901/yr |
| $110,001+ | $13,132/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 | $63,855 | $11,690 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Associate | $52,941 | |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Associate | $42,309 | $5,590 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Associate | $33,281 | $7,874 |
| Social Work. | Associate | $27,204 | |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Associate | $25,058 | $7,184 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | Certificate | $24,035 | |
| Fine and Studio Arts. | Associate | $21,894 | |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services. | Associate | $16,921 |
The Risk Factor
31.8% of students at Holyoke 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
Holyoke Community College keeps costs low and debt manageable, but the payoff depends almost entirely on which program you finish. Your median debt sits well below what most bachelor's students carry, and the net price is one of the cheaper entry points into a Massachusetts credential. The problem is the finish line: fewer than a third of students graduate, so the biggest financial risk here is paying for credits and leaving without the credential that makes them worth anything.
Nursing is the clear winner. The associate nursing program pays nearly double the school's overall median earnings, and even carrying the highest program debt on campus, that debt is small against those wages. Allied Health lands second and works on similar math. Criminal Justice pays a middle wage with the lowest debt of any listed program, which makes it a low-risk bet in a region with steady public-sector and corrections hiring.
Business Administration and Social Work are where the returns thin out. Business earnings barely clear the school median a decade after enrolling, and Social Work comes in lowest of all , an associate degree in that field caps out at wages that make even modest debt hard to justify. If you want a career in social work, plan on transferring for a bachelor's, because stopping at the two-year credential here does not pay.
This school fits you if you enter with a health-career target and the plan to finish. The net price stays under $6,000 a year if your family earns below $48k, and climbs past $13,000 at the top income tier , still cheap, but the gap matters if you're paying out of pocket. If you're undecided or leaning toward the lower-earning tracks, treat Holyoke as a transfer step, not a destination.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Holyoke Community College worth the cost?
At $6,860 per year with median debt of just $8,250, Holyoke Community College offers good value for students who complete their programs. The low cost makes it affordable even with below-average graduation rates, but success depends heavily on your chosen field and whether you finish.
What are the highest paying majors at Holyoke Community College?
Nursing programs lead with $63,855 median earnings, followed by allied health at $52,941. Business and criminal justice graduates earn $33,281 and $42,309 respectively, while social work graduates average just $27,204.
How much student debt do Holyoke Community College graduates have?
Graduates carry a median debt of $8,250, which is manageable compared to four-year schools. However, with the school's 32% graduation rate, many students may accumulate debt without completing their degree.
Do Holyoke Community College graduates make good money?
Overall graduate earnings of $37,277 are modest, but nursing and healthcare graduates earn significantly more. The school works best as affordable preparation for healthcare careers or as a stepping stone to transfer to four-year programs.