At $7,118/yr net price, Hudson Valley Community College graduates earn $45,460/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $11,460/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $7,118 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $28,472 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $45,460/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$11,460/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 2.5 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 33.0% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $10,625 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $3,200/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $5,463/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $9,312/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $11,350/yr |
| $110,001+ | $13,224/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians. | Associate | $67,324 | |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Certificate | $62,508 | |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Associate | $59,640 | $16,100 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Associate | $55,964 | $13,209 |
| Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians. | Associate | $55,286 | |
| Electrical and Power Transmission Installers. | Associate | $51,652 | $11,995 |
| Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians. | Associate | $50,856 | |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions. | Associate | $49,136 | $16,250 |
| Construction Engineering Technologies. | Associate | $48,041 | |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR). | Associate | $44,728 | $12,000 |
The Risk Factor
33.0% of students at Hudson Valley 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
Hudson Valley Community College gives you a low-cost path with a clear ceiling on payoff, and the return depends heavily on which program you pick. You borrow around $10,625 by graduation, which is manageable against the $45,460 median earnings ten years out. But that median hides a wide spread, and the 33% graduation rate is the biggest risk here: two out of three starters don't finish, and an unfinished associate degree leaves you with debt and no credential to show for it.
The technical and health programs are where your money works. An associate in industrial production technologies clears $67,000, mechanical engineering technologies land in the mid-$50s, and registered nursing pays close to $60,000. Nursing carries higher debt near $16,100, but the earnings justify it. These are hands-on Capital Region jobs tied to manufacturing and healthcare employers around Troy and Albany, and they don't require a four-year degree to start.
If you enroll in a general studies or liberal arts track with plans to transfer, the earnings picture is weaker and depends entirely on finishing the bachelor's elsewhere. HVCC's own payoff data sits with its career-technical and nursing programs, so treat the transfer path as a separate bet.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families. If your family earns under $30,000, you pay about $3,200 a year. over $110,000, you pay $13,224. At the low end, a two-year nursing or technical degree costs less than $7,000 total against a $55,000-plus starting salary, which is one of the strongest returns you'll find anywhere.
Pick this school if you want a specific technical or health credential and will commit to finishing. Look elsewhere if you're undecided, since the low completion rate makes drifting expensive.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hudson Valley Community College worth the money?
Hudson Valley Community College offers reasonable value with a low net price of $7,118 per year and manageable debt levels around $10,625. However, the 33% graduation rate means many students don't complete their programs, which significantly impacts ROI.
What are the highest paying programs at Hudson Valley Community College?
Industrial production technology leads earnings at $67,324, followed by allied health programs at $62,508 and nursing at $59,640. These technical and healthcare programs offer strong earning potential that justifies the investment.
How much debt do Hudson Valley Community College graduates have?
Graduates typically carry $10,625 in debt, which is manageable for a community college. The low tuition costs help keep borrowing minimal compared to four-year institutions.
Do Hudson Valley Community College graduates get good jobs after graduation?
Graduates earn a median of $45,460 ten years after enrollment, with significant variation by program. Technical and healthcare programs show much stronger earning potential than the overall average.