At $5,741/yr net price, Joliet Junior College graduates earn $42,889/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $8,889/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $5,741 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $22,964 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $42,889/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$8,889/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 2.6 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 20.8% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $9,711 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $1,132/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $3,663/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $7,754/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $8,292/yr |
| $110,001+ | $9,406/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 | $61,144 | $10,741 |
| Veterinary/Animal Health Technologies/Technicians. | Associate | $33,993 | |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Associate | $24,863 | $5,950 |
The Risk Factor
20.8% of students at Joliet Junior 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
Joliet Junior College keeps costs low, and that is the strongest part of its financial picture. You pay $5,741 a year on average and leave with under $10,000 in debt, which is manageable against the $42,889 median earnings ten years out. The return here is decent, but it hinges almost entirely on what you study.
Nursing is the clear payoff. The associate nursing program earns roughly $61,144, nearly $18,000 above the school-wide median, and the debt load stays close to average. That gap tells you most of what you need to know: nursing graduates recover their costs fast, and the Chicago-area and Joliet health systems keep demand steady.
The veterinary technology and liberal arts tracks are a different story. Vet tech graduates earn about $33,993, and liberal arts sits at $24,863. Both land below the median, and liberal arts especially works only as a transfer step toward a four-year degree, not a stopping point. If you finish there and stop, the math does not work.
The biggest risk is the 20.8% graduation rate. Four out of five students do not finish on the tracked timeline, and if you borrow and leave without a credential, you carry the debt with none of the earnings. Low tuition softens this, but it does not erase it.
The net price tiers make this an easy call if your family earns under $48,000. You pay around $1,132 or $3,663 a year, and even a mid-paying credential covers that quickly. Above $110,000, you pay $9,406, still low by any standard.
This is a strong financial fit if you enroll in nursing or use it as a low-cost transfer path with a firm plan to finish. Look elsewhere if you want a terminal associate degree in a lower-paying field and expect it to stand on its own.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Joliet Junior College worth the cost compared to other schools?
At $5,741 per year, Joliet Junior College offers very low tuition costs with graduates earning $42,889 after 10 years. The nursing programs provide strong returns with median earnings of $61,144, but the 20.8% graduation rate means many students don't complete their programs.
What programs at Joliet Junior College have the best return on investment?
Registered nursing and nursing-related programs at Joliet Junior College deliver the strongest ROI with median earnings of $61,144. Veterinary technology graduates earn $33,993, while liberal arts graduates earn significantly less at $24,863.
How much student debt do Joliet Junior College graduates typically have?
Joliet Junior College graduates have a median debt of $9,711, which is relatively low for higher education. The affordable tuition keeps debt manageable, though students should focus on high-paying programs like nursing to justify even this modest borrowing.
Does Joliet Junior College's low graduation rate affect its value?
The 20.8% graduation rate at Joliet Junior College is a major concern that significantly impacts the school's value proposition. While costs are low, students face a high risk of not completing their programs and gaining no credential for their investment.