At $6,058/yr net price, Jefferson Community and Technical College graduates earn $38,171/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $4,171/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $6,058 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $24,232 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $38,171/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$4,171/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 5.8 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 30.7% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $11,651 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $5,197/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $5,324/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $7,195/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $10,060/yr |
| $110,001+ | $12,015/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians. | Associate | $57,318 | |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Associate | $52,883 | $15,995 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Associate | $45,584 | $12,411 |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Associate | $39,153 | $12,461 |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants. | Certificate | $37,568 | $7,961 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | Associate | $36,312 | |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies. | Associate | $35,215 | $10,550 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Associate | $33,993 | $12,241 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Associate | $33,993 | $17,739 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Associate | $33,993 |
The Risk Factor
30.7% of students at Jefferson Community and Technical 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 Community and Technical College keeps your costs low and your debt low, but the payoff depends almost entirely on what you study. At roughly $6,000 a year in net price and median debt under $12,000, you are not risking much money here. The problem is the 30.7% graduation rate. Most people who enroll do not finish, and an unfinished credential leaves you with debt and no earnings bump to pay it off.
Program choice separates a good bet from a bad one. Electrical engineering technology and registered nursing are the two associate degrees that clear $50,000, and nursing does it even with the highest debt load on the list. Allied health diagnostic and treatment work lands in the mid-$40,000s, which still beats the school's $38,171 median. Medical assisting and the practical nursing certificate sit in the high $30,000s, so those pay back the modest debt but do not move you far ahead of the typical graduate. If you enroll without a plan to land in one of the top two health or technical fields, the median outcome is what you should expect.
The net price tiers are flat at the bottom and steep at the top. If your family earns under $48,000, you pay a little over $5,000 a year, which is manageable against nursing or electrical wages. Above $110,000, your price doubles to roughly $12,000, and the return gets thinner if you are not in a high-earning program.
This school fits you if you want a specific health or skilled-trade credential, live near Louisville, and will actually finish. Look elsewhere if you are undecided or want a general associate degree, because the completion odds and median earnings do not justify even the low cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Jefferson Community and Technical College worth the money?
Jefferson Community and Technical College offers good value with a low net price of $6,058 per year and manageable debt around $11,651. However, the 30% graduation rate is concerning, and average earnings of $38,171 after 10 years are modest unless you choose high-paying programs like electrical engineering or nursing.
What are the best paying programs at Jefferson Community and Technical College?
Electrical engineering technology leads at $57,318 annually, followed by registered nursing at $52,883. Allied health programs also pay well, ranging from $39,153 to $45,584, making these fields the clear ROI winners at Jefferson.
How much debt will I have after Jefferson Community and Technical College?
The median debt is $11,651, which is relatively low for college graduates. This manageable debt load helps improve the overall return on investment, especially if you complete one of the higher-paying technical programs.
What is the graduation rate at Jefferson Community and Technical College?
Only 30.7% of students graduate, which is below average for community colleges. This low completion rate means many students take on debt without earning a credential, making program choice and academic commitment critical for success.