At $5,190/yr net price, Kankakee Community College graduates earn $38,767/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $4,767/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $5,190 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $20,760 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $38,767/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$4,767/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 4.4 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 38.2% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $9,969 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $3,219/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $3,711/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $7,381/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $12,209/yr |
| $110,001+ | $11,133/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 | $60,298 | $18,100 |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Associate | $52,107 | |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Associate | $44,542 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Associate | $31,314 | |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Associate | $29,322 | |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Associate | $24,730 | $7,000 |
The Risk Factor
38.2% of students at Kankakee 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
Kankakee Community College costs about $5,190 a year net, and your debt at graduation stays under $10,000. That low borrowing is the strongest financial fact here. Median earnings ten years out land under $40,000, so this school pays off through cheap entry, not high salaries.
The health programs are where the money is. The nursing associate degree clears $60,000 and the allied health and medical assisting track sits above $52,000. Those two carry the school. Nursing comes with the highest program debt on the list at $18,100, but the salary covers it easily.
The gap after that is steep. Business administration and criminal justice associate degrees both pay under $32,000, below the school's own median. If you enroll in either, you are paying for a credential that returns close to what you might earn without it. Pick health over business or criminal justice if earnings drive your decision.
The main risk is completion. Only 38% of students graduate, so the low price only helps if you finish. Drop out with loans and no credential and the math turns against you fast.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families most. Under $48,000 in family income puts your yearly cost under $4,000. It climbs sharply above that: families earning $75,000 to $110,000 pay over $12,000 a year, more than families over $110,000. If you sit in that upper-middle band, the discount thins out and you should compare against other options.
This school fits you if you want a nursing or allied health career and can commit to finishing. If you want business or criminal justice, or you fall into the higher-price income tiers, look harder before enrolling.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kankakee Community College worth the money?
Kankakee Community College offers strong value for nursing and allied health students, with graduates in these fields earning $44,542 to $60,298 annually. However, the 38% graduation rate means many students don't finish, and general business or criminal justice graduates earn around $30,000, which provides limited return on investment.
What programs at Kankakee Community College have the best job prospects?
Registered nursing and allied health programs at Kankakee Community College lead to the highest earnings, with nursing graduates averaging $60,298 per year. Business and criminal justice programs result in much lower salaries around $30,000, making them riskier investments.
How much debt do Kankakee Community College students typically graduate with?
Kankakee Community College graduates carry a median debt of $9,969, which is manageable for nursing and health program graduates but creates payment challenges for those earning $30,000 in other fields. The low net price of $5,190 per year helps keep total debt reasonable.
What is the graduation rate at Kankakee Community College?
Only 38% of students graduate from Kankakee Community College, meaning most who enroll never complete their programs. This low completion rate significantly reduces the school's overall value proposition, even for students in higher-paying nursing tracks.