At $6,738/yr net price, Houston Community College graduates earn $39,254/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $5,254/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $6,738 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $26,952 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $39,254/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$5,254/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 5.1 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 17.0% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $13,921 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $5,937/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $6,606/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $8,980/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $10,633/yr |
| $110,001+ | $11,372/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 | $63,005 | $12,455 |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions. | Associate | $52,941 | |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Certificate | $52,107 | $10,500 |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Associate | $51,231 | $15,000 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Associate | $49,214 | $17,487 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Certificate | $46,321 | $9,500 |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants. | Certificate | $46,321 | |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions. | Associate | $45,082 | |
| Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians. | Associate | $43,000 | |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Associate | $39,369 |
The Risk Factor
17.0% of students at Houston 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
Houston Community College keeps your costs low, but the payoff is thin. At $6,738 a year in net price, you won't take on much debt, and the median borrower leaves owing under $14,000. The problem is the 17% graduation rate. Most people who enroll here do not finish, and a credential you never earn returns nothing on the time and money you spent.
If you do graduate, median earnings ten years out land around $39,000. That's roughly what a full-time worker earning $19 an hour makes, and it's below the Houston metro's cost of living for supporting a family. Houston's job market rewards technical and healthcare fields, and HCC's certificate and associate tracks in nursing, welding, HVAC, and process technology feed directly into local energy and medical employers. Those hands-on programs are where the money is here. General transfer tracks pay off only if you actually move on to a four-year school and finish the bachelor's, which the completion numbers suggest is a real risk.
The specific danger at HCC is starting and stopping. Your debt is small, but so is the reward if you leave without a credential, and the low grad rate means that outcome is common. Go in with a defined program and a plan to complete it.
The net price is affordable across the board, and it stays under $6,000 a year if your family earns below $30,000. Higher-income families pay closer to $11,000, still low for a four-year school. HCC fits you if you want a specific technical or healthcare skill, live near Houston, and can commit to finishing. If you want a traditional bachelor's degree experience with strong completion support, look at a four-year university instead.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Houston Community College worth the cost?
Houston Community College offers strong value for healthcare programs, with nursing graduates earning $63,000 annually against just $6,738 yearly costs. However, the 17% graduation rate means most students don't finish, and the overall median earnings of $39,254 after 10 years are modest.
What are the best paying programs at Houston Community College?
Nursing programs lead with $63,000 average earnings, followed by dental support services at $52,941. These healthcare tracks justify the investment, while other programs may struggle to deliver strong returns given the low graduation rates.
How much debt do Houston Community College students graduate with?
The median debt is $13,921, which is manageable for community college standards. Students in high-paying nursing and dental programs can typically handle this debt load, but those in lower-earning fields may struggle with payments.
Why is Houston Community College's graduation rate so low?
Only 17% of students graduate, reflecting the challenges many community college students face with work and family obligations. This low completion rate means the ROI only applies to the small percentage who actually finish their programs.