At $7,336/yr net price, John C Calhoun State Community College graduates earn $38,192/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $4,192/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $7,336 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $29,344 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $38,192/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$4,192/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 7 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 40.8% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $12,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $5,476/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $6,422/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $8,883/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $11,149/yr |
| $110,001+ | $12,108/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 | $46,730 | $13,734 |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Associate | $46,673 | |
| Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians. | Associate | $45,794 | $11,024 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Associate | $42,682 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Associate | $33,993 | |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Associate | $32,925 | |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Associate | $24,124 | $9,689 |
The Risk Factor
40.8% of students at John C Calhoun State Community College graduate within 6 years. More than half of students finish, but the dropout rate is a real factor in whether this investment pays off.
Analysis
Calhoun's financial picture is solid for a two-year school, mostly because the debt stays low. You leave with a median $12,000 in debt, and the net price sits around $7,336 a year. That keeps your risk contained even if your earnings land at the median. A 41% graduation rate is the catch: fewer than half of you finish, and if you drop out with debt and no credential, the math falls apart fast.
The programs that pay off here are the health and industrial tracks. Registered Nursing and Allied Health both clear $46,000, roughly $8,000 above the school-wide median, and industrial production technicians land close behind at $45,794 with the lowest debt of any top program. These are the reasons to enroll. Business Administration is the weak spot at $33,993, below the school median and far behind nursing. If business is your plan, know that it pays about $13,000 less than the nursing track at the same school.
These are all associate degrees, so treat the earnings as two-year outcomes, not what a bachelor's would bring. The specific risk at Calhoun is finishing. The programs work only if you complete them, and the completion odds are a coin flip.
The net price tiers reward lower incomes. Under $30k, you pay $5,476. over $110k, you pay $12,108, more than double. For a family earning under $48k, the low price plus a nursing or industrial credential is a strong bet. This school fits you if you want a health or trades credential and can commit to finishing. Look elsewhere if you plan to major in business or aren't confident you'll complete, since the payoff depends entirely on which program you pick and whether you graduate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is John C Calhoun State Community College worth the money?
John C Calhoun State Community College offers decent value for healthcare programs, with nursing graduates earning around $46,730 annually. However, the 40% graduation rate means many students don't finish, and general business programs show lower returns at $33,993.
What programs at John C Calhoun State Community College have the best job prospects?
Nursing and allied health programs at John C Calhoun State Community College provide the strongest returns, with graduates earning $42,000-$47,000 annually. Industrial production technology also shows solid outcomes at $45,794, while business administration lags behind at $33,993.
How much debt do John C Calhoun State Community College graduates typically have?
John C Calhoun State Community College graduates carry a median debt of $12,000, which is manageable for healthcare programs but represents a higher burden for lower-paying fields like business administration.
What is the graduation rate at John C Calhoun State Community College?
Only 41% of students graduate from John C Calhoun State Community College. This low completion rate means many students leave with debt but no degree, making program choice and academic preparation critical for success.