At $5,300/yr net price, Hutchinson Community College graduates earn $43,470/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $9,470/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $5,300 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $21,200 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $43,470/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$9,470/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 2.2 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 45.2% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $9,773 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $4,145/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $4,365/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $6,499/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $10,383/yr |
| $110,001+ | $11,343/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 | $47,260 | $13,372 |
| Electromechanical Instrumentation and Maintenance Technologies/Technicians. | Associate | $46,087 | |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Associate | $45,500 | $10,964 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | Associate | $38,829 | $20,125 |
| Fire Protection. | Associate | $38,289 | |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants. | Certificate | $38,289 | $8,750 |
| Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians. | Associate | $37,208 | |
| Precision Metal Working. | Certificate | $35,060 | |
| Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations. | Associate | $33,446 | |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Certificate | $31,305 |
The Risk Factor
45.2% of students at Hutchinson 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
Hutchinson Community College keeps costs low and debt lower, which gives you a real shot at coming out ahead. You borrow under $10,000 at the median and pay a net price near $5,300 a year, so the financial risk here is small even if your earnings land at the median.
The payoff depends heavily on which program you pick. Nursing, electromechanical instrumentation, and allied health diagnostic all clear $45,000 and carry manageable debt, making them the clear winners. Nursing pulls the highest earnings while keeping debt around $13,000. Health and medical administrative services is the trap: it pays the least of the top programs yet loads you with the most debt, over $20,000, which is roughly double what nursing graduates carry for less money. Skip it unless you have a specific reason.
The main risk is completion. Fewer than half of students finish, and the low debt and low earnings only work in your favor if you actually walk out with a credential. Drop out and you carry cost with no wage bump. The healthcare and technical trades here feed steady regional demand, so if you commit to one of those associate tracks and finish, the return is strong.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families. If your family earns under $48,000, you pay around $4,100 to $4,400 a year. Past $75,000, the price more than doubles to over $10,000, and above $110,000 you pay roughly $11,300, so the deal is far less generous for higher earners.
This school fits you if you want a technical or healthcare credential without debt and you live in or near Kansas. Look elsewhere if you want a liberal arts path or a bachelor's degree, since the earnings data here covers only associate-level programs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hutchinson Community College worth the cost?
At $5,300 per year with typical graduates earning $43,470 after 10 years, Hutchinson Community College offers reasonable value for the price. The low debt load of under $10,000 makes it a safer financial choice than many four-year schools.
What are the best paying programs at Hutchinson Community College?
Nursing programs lead earnings at around $47,260, followed by electromechanical instrumentation at $46,087. Healthcare-related programs generally offer the strongest return on investment at this school.
How much debt do Hutchinson Community College graduates have?
The median debt is $9,773, which is manageable compared to four-year college debt levels. This low debt burden reduces financial risk even if career outcomes don't meet expectations.
What is the graduation rate at Hutchinson Community College?
Only 45% of students graduate, which is concerning for program completion. Students should have clear career goals and strong study habits before enrolling to avoid becoming part of the majority who don't finish.