At $7,492/yr net price, Indian Hills Community College graduates earn $40,507/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $6,507/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $7,492 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $29,968 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $40,507/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$6,507/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 4.6 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 40.4% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $10,500 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $6,481/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $6,459/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $7,284/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $10,802/yr |
| $110,001+ | $9,364/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians. | Associate | $57,318 | $10,477 |
| Computer Programming. | Associate | $54,035 | $12,620 |
| Electromechanical Instrumentation and Maintenance Technologies/Technicians. | Associate | $52,107 | |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Associate | $48,667 | $17,334 |
| Precision Metal Working. | Associate | $47,513 | |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Associate | $43,798 | |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Associate | $39,663 | |
| Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications. | Associate | $38,289 | $14,375 |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants. | Certificate | $36,848 | $13,000 |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies. | Associate | $35,060 | $11,000 |
The Risk Factor
40.4% of students at Indian Hills 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
Indian Hills Community College gives you a low-cost path with a modest but real payoff. You graduate with a median debt of $10,500 and earn $40,507 a decade out, so the debt-to-earnings ratio stays manageable. The math works because the price is low, not because the earnings are high.
The technical associate degrees are where the money is. Electrical engineering technology graduates clear $57,318, and they carry roughly the same debt as the median, so their return is the strongest on campus. Computer programming and electromechanical maintenance both land in the low $50,000s. These are the programs that beat the school's overall earnings figure by a wide margin, and they connect to the manufacturing and skilled-trade jobs that anchor southeast Iowa.
Nursing is the outlier to watch. It pays $48,667, above the school median, but you take on the highest debt of any listed program at $17,334. That's still a defensible trade, but it's a heavier load than the trades degrees ask of you.
The main risk here is completion. Only 40 percent of students graduate, and the strong earnings above apply to people who finish. If you leave with debt and no credential, none of these numbers protect you.
The net price tiers hold a surprise. If your family earns under $48,000, you pay around $6,400. But the $75,000-$110,000 bracket pays the most on campus at $10,802, more than families earning over $110,000. If you sit in that upper-middle range, budget for the full sticker.
Pick this school if you want a technical or health associate degree and plan to finish. If you want a four-year degree or a field outside the trades and nursing, the program data here won't tell you what you'll earn, so look elsewhere.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Indian Hills Community College worth the cost?
At $7,492 per year, Indian Hills Community College offers decent value for technical programs, but the 40% graduation rate means many students don't finish. Students who complete programs in electrical engineering technology or computer programming typically earn $52,000-$57,000, making the investment worthwhile for those fields.
What programs at Indian Hills Community College have the best ROI?
Electrical engineering technology ($57,318 median salary), computer programming ($54,035), and electromechanical instrumentation ($52,107) offer the strongest returns. These technical programs can pay off the typical $10,500 debt load within a few years of graduation.
How much debt do Indian Hills Community College graduates typically have?
The median debt is $10,500, which is manageable compared to four-year colleges. However, with overall graduate earnings averaging $40,507 after 10 years, students should focus on higher-paying technical programs to ensure they can handle loan payments comfortably.
Does Indian Hills Community College have good job placement after graduation?
The school's 40% graduation rate suggests many students struggle to complete their programs. Those who do graduate in technical fields like electrical technology or nursing typically find stable work, but students should be realistic about the completion challenges.