At $6,839/yr net price, Kaskaskia College graduates earn $38,801/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $4,801/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $6,839 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $27,356 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $38,801/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$4,801/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 5.7 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 48.5% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $3,750 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $6,186/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $6,453/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $8,038/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $9,173/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Certificate | $58,673 | |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Associate | $46,380 | |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Associate | $38,289 | |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants. | Certificate | $31,314 | |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Associate | $19,775 | |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services. | Associate | $18,087 |
The Risk Factor
48.5% of students at Kaskaskia 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
Kaskaskia College keeps costs low and debt lower, which makes the financial math work even when earnings are modest. You borrow a median of $3,750 total, so you leave without the debt load that sinks graduates elsewhere. That low ceiling is the strongest financial argument for this school.
Health programs carry the return here. The associate nursing degree gets you to roughly $46,000, and the practical nursing certificate lands near $31,000 for a short, cheap credential. If you want a bachelor-level clinical role, the allied health certificate reports the highest number, but read the label: it's a certificate, and treat it as a stepping stone rather than a finish line. Nursing is where your money and time pay off at Kaskaskia.
The Liberal Arts associate degree is the weak spot. At under $20,000 in median earnings, it pays off only if you transfer to a four-year school and finish there. Stopping at this degree leaves you below what the health tracks earn and close to what you'd make without the credential.
Two risks are specific to this school. Fewer than half of you finish, and a credential you don't complete still costs tuition and time. And the school's overall median earnings of about $39,000 reflect a rural southern Illinois job market where the nursing and allied health jobs concentrate. outside those fields, the local paycheck is thin.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families most. If your family earns under $48,000, you pay in the low $6,000s per year. Above $48,000, the price climbs toward $8,000-$9,000, so the aid discount shrinks as income rises. Kaskaskia is a good financial fit if you're headed into nursing or plan to transfer with a specific four-year goal. If you want a terminal liberal arts degree and stop there, look at where you can actually finish a bachelor's.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kaskaskia College worth the money?
Kaskaskia College offers solid value with a low net price of $6,839 per year and minimal debt of $3,750. However, the 48% graduation rate means many students don't finish, which significantly reduces the return on investment.
What are the highest paying programs at Kaskaskia College?
Allied health and nursing programs at Kaskaskia College produce the best financial returns, with diagnostic/treatment professions earning around $58,673 and registered nursing at $46,380. Liberal arts graduates earn much less at $19,775, making program choice critical for ROI.
How much debt do Kaskaskia College graduates have?
Kaskaskia College graduates have relatively low debt at $3,750 median, making it less risky than many schools. The low cost helps keep debt manageable even for students who take longer to complete their programs.
Do Kaskaskia College graduates get good jobs after graduation?
Kaskaskia College graduates in healthcare fields see strong job prospects with earnings well above the overall average of $38,801. General studies graduates face tougher job markets with significantly lower earning potential.