Is Inver Hills Community College Worth It?

Inver Hills Community College gives you a workable financial return if you pick the right program, and a weak one if you don't. At just under $11,000 a year in net price with median debt under $14,000, the cost is low, and median earnings near $50,000 a decade out cover that debt without strain. The problem is the 19% graduation rate. Most people who enroll here don't finish, and the ROI math only works if you're in the group that does.

The health and tech tracks are where your money goes furthest. The associate in computer systems networking and the registered nursing associate both clear $56,000, and nursing does that with debt around $16,000. Allied health at the associate level lands closer to $51,000. These are Twin Cities-area jobs with steady demand, so the earnings hold up regionally. The multi/interdisciplinary studies associate sits at the bottom of the top-five list near $49,700, and general transfer-style tracks like it carry the most risk if you stop after two years without moving on to a bachelor's.

The certificate in allied health shows the highest earnings on the page, but a certificate is a short credential, not a degree, so treat that number as a specialized ceiling rather than a typical outcome.

Your net price barely moves with income. A family under $30,000 pays about $8,600, while one over $110,000 pays around $15,000. That flat structure means lower-income families don't get the steep discounts you'd see at pricier schools, so the sticker is a real cost you should plan for at every income level.

This school fits you if you're aiming at nursing, allied health, or networking and you will finish. If you're unsure of your path, the low completion rate makes it a gamble, and you should have a concrete plan to graduate before enrolling.