At $7,734/yr net price, Jefferson College graduates earn $40,782/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $6,782/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $7,734 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $30,936 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $40,782/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$6,782/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 4.6 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 32.3% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $9,285 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $6,363/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $7,083/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $8,267/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $10,258/yr |
| $110,001+ | $11,836/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 | $52,492 | $14,500 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Associate | $44,021 | |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Associate | $41,007 | |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Associate | $37,054 | $14,062 |
| Business/Commerce, General. | Associate | $36,134 | |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR). | Associate | $35,060 | |
| Precision Metal Working. | Associate | $29,685 | |
| Veterinary/Animal Health Technologies/Technicians. | Associate | $26,739 | |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Associate | $24,035 | $7,000 |
| Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications. | Associate | $21,703 |
The Risk Factor
32.3% of students at Jefferson 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
Jefferson College keeps your costs low and your debt lower. At $7,734 a year with a median debt around $9,285, you finish an associate degree owing less than many people put on a single credit card. The tradeoff is modest earnings: ten years out, the typical graduate makes about $40,782, which is solid for a two-year credential but not a path to high income.
Nursing is where the money is. At roughly $52,000, the registered nursing associate degree pays about $8,000 more than criminal justice and $16,000 more than the general business associate. It carries the highest program debt on the list, near $14,500, but the earnings make that easy to justify. If you can get into the nursing track, this is the clearest financial win the school offers.
The allied health and medical assisting programs land in the $37,000 to $41,000 range, decent for the region but not much above the school's overall median. General business at $36,000 sits at the bottom. If a bachelor's-level career is your goal, treat Jefferson as a cheap first two years and plan to transfer, since none of these associate programs top the low $50,000s.
The real risk here is the 32% graduation rate. Two out of three students don't finish, and if you take on debt and leave without the credential, you get the cost without the payoff. Your degree is what unlocks the nursing salary. without it, the numbers don't work.
Net price barely moves with income. If your family earns under $30,000 you pay about $6,363. over $110,000 you pay $11,836. This school fits you if you want a low-cost nursing or allied health credential close to home. If you need a four-year degree to hit your earnings target, use it as a transfer step, not a destination.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Jefferson College worth the money?
Jefferson College offers decent value with a low net price of $7,734 annually and manageable debt levels around $9,285. However, the 32% graduation rate means most students don't finish, which significantly hurts the return on investment.
What are the highest paying majors at Jefferson College?
Nursing programs at Jefferson College lead to the best earnings, with registered nursing graduates earning around $52,492 annually. Criminal justice follows at $44,021, while business graduates typically earn $36,134.
How much debt do Jefferson College graduates have?
Jefferson College graduates carry a median debt of $9,285, which is relatively low compared to four-year schools. The bigger concern is the low graduation rate, meaning many students accumulate debt without completing their degree.
Do Jefferson College graduates make good money after graduation?
Jefferson College graduates earn a median of $40,782 ten years after enrollment, which is modest but reasonable given the low tuition costs. Nursing graduates do significantly better, while other programs may struggle to justify even the affordable price tag.