At $4,553/yr net price, J Sargeant Reynolds Community College graduates earn $39,529/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $5,529/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $4,553 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $18,212 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $39,529/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$5,529/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 3.3 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 30.3% |
| 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 | $3,773/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $4,023/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $5,199/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $7,731/yr |
| $110,001+ | $11,919/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 | $56,415 | $17,486 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Associate | $49,136 | $15,076 |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions. | Associate | $42,682 | |
| Legal Support Services. | Associate | $38,289 | |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Associate | $33,993 | |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Associate | $33,281 | |
| Biological and Physical Sciences. | Associate | $30,771 | $10,225 |
| Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions. | Certificate | $27,874 | |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | Certificate | $27,048 | |
| Social Sciences, General. | Associate | $26,585 | $12,813 |
The Risk Factor
30.3% of students at J Sargeant Reynolds 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
J Sargeant Reynolds gives you a low-cost entry point with a modest payoff. At $4,553 a year and $10,500 in median debt, you take on less risk here than at most schools. But the median 10-year earnings of $39,529 sit near what a Richmond-area high school graduate might make, so the degree itself does not guarantee a big jump.
The nursing associate program is the clear winner. It pays about $56,415, roughly $22,000 more than the general computer science associate, and it justifies its higher $17,486 debt load with real earning power. Allied health and medical laboratory science follow the same pattern: health credentials here connect directly to Richmond's hospital and clinical employers. If you enroll for one of these, the math works strongly in your favor.
The weaker end is real. Legal support services and general computer science both land in the $34,000-$38,000 range, close to the school-wide median. A general computer science associate at under $34,000 is a poor return for a field where that credential rarely competes with a four-year degree.
The biggest risk is the 30% graduation rate. Seven in ten students do not finish, and if you leave with debt and no credential, the low sticker price stops protecting you. Costs stay low across income tiers: under $30k pays about $3,773, while over $110k pays $11,919, so this stays affordable even at higher incomes.
This school fits you if you commit to a health program and plan to finish. Go in for nursing, allied health, or lab science, and the low cost plus strong local demand makes it a smart bet. Look elsewhere if you want a computer science or legal path, or if you are unsure you can complete the program.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is J Sargeant Reynolds Community College worth the cost?
At $4,553 per year with median debt of $10,500, J Sargeant Reynolds offers good value if you complete a program. The nursing and allied health programs show strong returns with graduates earning $42,000-$56,000 annually, but the 30% graduation rate means many students don't finish.
What are the highest paying programs at J Sargeant Reynolds Community College?
Registered nursing graduates earn the most at $56,415 annually, followed by allied health diagnostic programs at $49,136. Clinical lab science graduates earn $42,682, making healthcare programs the clear winners for ROI.
How much debt do J Sargeant Reynolds Community College graduates have?
Graduates carry a median debt of $10,500, which is manageable for healthcare programs that pay $42,000-$56,000. However, computer science graduates earning $33,993 may struggle more with loan payments relative to their income.
What is the graduation rate at J Sargeant Reynolds Community College?
Only 30% of students graduate, meaning 7 out of 10 students leave without completing their program. This low completion rate significantly hurts the school's overall value proposition despite reasonable costs.