At $13,912/yr net price, Johnson County Community College graduates earn $45,387/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $11,387/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $13,912 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $55,648 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $45,387/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$11,387/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 4.9 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 29.5% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $8,750 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $12,074/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $13,159/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $15,293/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $17,298/yr |
| $110,001+ | $18,399/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ground Transportation. | Certificate | $67,101 | |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions. | Associate | $54,630 | |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Associate | $51,607 | $9,000 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Associate | $49,270 | $10,750 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Certificate | $47,046 | |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR). | Associate | $46,478 | |
| Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians. | Associate | $45,852 | |
| Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications. | Associate | $42,682 | |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services. | Associate | $38,018 | |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Certificate | $36,852 |
The Risk Factor
29.5% of students at Johnson County 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
Johnson County Community College gives you a low-debt path to solid earnings, but only if you finish. Your median debt of $8,750 is small, and typical earnings ten years out clear $45,000. The catch is the graduation rate: under 30% of students finish. If you don't complete a credential, you carry the cost without the payoff.
The healthcare associate degrees are where the money is. Registered nursing pays about $51,600 and dental support pushes past $54,000, both on associate-level debt near $9,000. That's a clean return: two years of study, low borrowing, and a wage well above the school's median. The allied health diagnostic and treatment programs land around $49,000, also worth the cost.
Certificates are a mixed bag. Ground transportation tops the earnings list at over $67,000, but it's a certificate tied to a specific trade, not a general degree. Criminal justice as a certificate sits at $47,000. Read the credential level before you assume any program guarantees that number.
The main financial risk here is not debt, it's dropping out. With a 29.5% grad rate, the odds of leaving without a credential are real, and the healthcare programs that pay best are also the ones with clinical requirements and waitlists.
Net price rises with income, from about $12,000 for families under $30k to over $18,000 above $110k. Even the top tier is cheap for two years of college. If you're local, aiming at nursing, dental, or allied health, and committed to finishing, this is a strong bet. If you want a broad transfer degree with no clear vocational target, the low completion rate should give you pause.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Johnson County Community College worth the cost?
Johnson County Community College offers solid value for students who complete high-paying programs like ground transportation or dental support services, which earn $67,101 and $54,630 respectively. However, with a 29.5% graduation rate, many students don't finish their programs, making completion rates a bigger concern than the $13,912 annual cost.
What are the best paying programs at Johnson County Community College?
Ground transportation leads at $67,101 annually, followed by dental support services at $54,630 and nursing at $51,607. These three programs significantly outperform the overall school average of $45,387 and justify the investment.
How much debt do Johnson County Community College students typically have?
The median debt is $8,750, which is manageable for a community college. Students in top-paying programs can reasonably expect to pay off this amount within a few years of graduation.
What is the graduation rate at Johnson County Community College?
Only 29.5% of students graduate, which is the biggest risk factor for ROI at this school. Students who don't complete their programs miss out on the earnings boost and may still carry debt from their time enrolled.