At $6,262/yr net price, Independence Community College graduates earn $34,941/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $941/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $6,262 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $25,048 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $34,941/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$941/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 26.6 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 34.3% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $6,115 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $4,949/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $5,063/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $7,708/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $9,033/yr |
| $110,001+ | $10,187/yr |
The Risk Factor
34.3% of students at Independence 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
Independence Community College gives you a low-cost, low-return proposition. The net price sits near $6,000 a year and median debt lands close to that, so you can finish a two-year program without heavy borrowing. But median earnings ten years out land under $35,000, which puts a ceiling on what that cheap degree buys you.
The bigger risk is finishing at all. Only about a third of students graduate here. If you enroll and drop out, you carry debt with no credential to show for it, and the low sticker price stops mattering. The math only works if you complete your program.
No bachelor-level program earnings are listed for this school, so treat it as a stepping stone. The strongest financial move is to use the low net price to knock out your first two years, then transfer to a four-year school where higher-paying degrees live. Independence pays off as a cost-cutting entry point, not as a final destination.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families most. If your family earns under $48,000, you pay around $5,000 a year. Above $75,000, that climbs past $9,000, and over $110,000 it tops $10,000 , still cheap in absolute terms, but you lose most of the low-income advantage. For families at the bottom of the income scale, this is one of the more affordable ways to start college.
This school fits you if you want an affordable local start, plan to transfer, or need a credential to move up in the Independence-area job market without going into debt. Look elsewhere if you're counting on the degree alone to push your income well past $35,000, because the earnings data does not support that outcome here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Independence Community College worth the money?
Independence Community College offers decent value with a low net price of $6,262 per year and minimal debt of $6,115. However, the 34% graduation rate is concerning and 10-year earnings of $34,941 are below average for college graduates.
How much debt will I have after Independence Community College?
Graduates from Independence Community College typically leave with $6,115 in debt, which is relatively low compared to most colleges. The manageable debt load helps offset the modest post-graduation earnings.
What is the graduation rate at Independence Community College?
Independence Community College has a 34% graduation rate, meaning two-thirds of students don't complete their programs. This low completion rate is a significant risk factor to consider when evaluating the school's value.
How much do Independence Community College graduates earn?
Independence Community College graduates earn a median of $34,941 ten years after starting school. This is below the national average for college graduates, though the low cost and debt make the return on investment reasonable for a community college.