At $9,024/yr net price, Jefferson State Community College graduates earn $40,719/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $6,719/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $9,024 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $36,096 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $40,719/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$6,719/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 5.4 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 23.3% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $9,689 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $6,833/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $7,930/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $10,468/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $11,954/yr |
| $110,001+ | $12,318/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 | $52,622 | $11,000 |
| Engineering Technology, General. | Associate | $48,432 | |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Associate | $45,021 | |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Associate | $44,032 | |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Associate | $42,682 | $9,750 |
| Funeral Service and Mortuary Science. | Associate | $39,369 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Associate | $30,771 | |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions. | Associate | $29,685 | |
| Veterinary/Animal Health Technologies/Technicians. | Associate | $29,141 | |
| Business Operations Support and Assistant Services. | Associate | $25,658 |
The Risk Factor
23.3% of students at Jefferson 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
Jefferson State Community College gives you a low-cost path with a real payoff if you pick the right program, but the school-wide numbers hide a lot of variation. Median debt sits under $10,000, so you are not taking on a heavy loan burden to attend. The catch is the 23% graduation rate, which is your biggest financial risk here. If you drop out, you carry the cost and get none of the earnings bump that makes this school worth attending.
Program choice decides everything. The nursing associate degree pays roughly $12,000 more per year than the median graduate and clears the modest debt tied to it quickly. Engineering technology and computer and information sciences also land well above the school median. These are the degrees that justify the price. If you enroll in a general track without a clear career credential attached, your expected earnings drop toward the median, and the math gets weaker.
The net price tiers work in your favor if your family earns under $48,000, where you pay in the high $6,000s to low $8,000s per year. Above $75,000, your price climbs past $11,000, closer to the sticker cost, so the value depends more on finishing a high-earning program. Note that the tiers only reach roughly $12,000 even at the top income band, so this stays affordable across the board compared to four-year options.
This school fits you if you want a specific health, technical, or computing credential and can commit to finishing. Nursing is the clearest win. It fits less well if you are unsure of your major or plan to use it as a general transfer step without a defined end goal, because the low completion rate means many people leave without the earnings that make the cost pay off.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Jefferson State Community College worth the cost?
Jefferson State offers reasonable value with low debt ($9,689 median) and affordable tuition ($9,024/year), but the 23% graduation rate is concerning. Nursing and engineering technology programs show strong earnings potential, making the investment worthwhile for students who complete these programs.
What are the highest paying programs at Jefferson State Community College?
Registered nursing leads with $52,622 annual earnings, followed by engineering technology at $48,432. Allied health programs also perform well, with most health-related fields earning $42,000-$45,000 annually.
How much debt do Jefferson State Community College graduates have?
Median debt is $9,689, which is relatively low for higher education. However, with average earnings of $40,719 ten years after enrollment, graduates face a manageable debt-to-income ratio if they complete their programs.
What is the graduation rate at Jefferson State Community College?
Only 23% of students graduate, which significantly impacts the school's value proposition. This low completion rate means many students accumulate debt without earning credentials, making program choice and student commitment critical factors.