At $7,343/yr net price, Jackson State Community College graduates earn $35,224/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $1,224/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $7,343 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $29,372 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $35,224/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$1,224/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 24 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 20.0% |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $7,058/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $6,869/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $8,067/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $10,143/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 | $54,453 | |
| Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians. | Associate | $50,563 | |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Associate | $48,823 | |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions. | Associate | $35,213 | |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Associate | $31,038 | |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Certificate | $30,771 | |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Associate | $23,340 |
The Risk Factor
20.0% of students at Jackson State 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
Jackson State Community College is a low-cost bet with a wide payoff gap depending on what you study. At roughly $7,000 a year, your total cost stays modest, but the median earnings figure a decade out sits below what many two-year graduates target. That number is dragged down by two things: a 20% graduation rate, and a slate of programs where the outcome depends entirely on your major.
Nursing is the clear winner here. A registered nursing associate degree leads graduates to earnings that more than double the school-wide median, and it feeds directly into Jackson and the surrounding West Tennessee healthcare market. Industrial production technology and allied health/medical assisting also pay well and connect to steady regional employers. These three are the reason to enroll.
The computer and information sciences and clinical lab science tracks are a different story. Both land near or below the school's overall median earnings, which means you could spend two years and come out earning what a general graduate makes. If tech is your goal, this is not the place to expect a strong return.
The biggest financial risk is finishing at all. Four out of five students do not graduate on time, and a credential you never complete leaves you with cost and no credential-level earnings bump. Enroll only if you have a plan to finish, ideally in nursing or a skilled-trade track.
On price, families earning under $48k actually pay slightly less than the sticker figure, while households in the $75-110k range pay around $10,000 a year. The cost stays reasonable across the board, but the return only justifies it in specific programs. Pick nursing or industrial tech and commit to finishing, and Jackson State pays off. Come for general or computer coursework, and look harder before you enroll.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Jackson State Community College worth the money?
Jackson State Community College offers decent value for students who complete nursing or healthcare programs, with graduates earning $48,000-54,000 annually. However, the 20% graduation rate means most students don't finish, making the investment risky for many.
What programs at Jackson State Community College have the best ROI?
Registered nursing and industrial production technology programs offer the strongest returns, with graduates earning around $50,000-54,000 per year. These salaries justify the $7,343 annual cost, but only if you actually graduate.
How much debt do Jackson State Community College students typically have?
At $7,343 per year, Jackson State Community College costs less than many alternatives. Students who complete two-year programs typically graduate with manageable debt levels, especially in high-paying healthcare fields.
Why is Jackson State Community College's graduation rate so low?
Only 20% of students graduate from Jackson State Community College, which is below average even for community colleges. This low completion rate significantly increases the risk that students will leave with debt but no degree.