At $5,724/yr net price, Kauai Community College graduates earn $36,868/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $2,868/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $5,724 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $22,896 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $36,868/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$2,868/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 8 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 29.1% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $10,500 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $4,975/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $4,992/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $7,140/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $8,867/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 | $54,661 | |
| Hospitality Administration/Management. | Associate | $38,289 | |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Associate | $26,353 | |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services. | Associate | $25,194 |
The Risk Factor
29.1% of students at Kauai 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
Kauai Community College keeps your costs low, and that's the strongest part of its financial picture. At $5,724 a year in net price and $10,500 in median debt, you can finish here without the loan burden that sinks graduates elsewhere. But the payoff after you leave is modest. Median earnings ten years out sit below $37,000, and the 29% graduation rate means most people who start here don't finish, which is the biggest risk to your return.
The nursing associate degree is the clear winner. It pays close to $55,000, roughly $16,000 more than hospitality management and more than double what the culinary arts and liberal arts programs return. If you come here for nursing and finish, the math works strongly in your favor given how little you'll spend to get the credential.
The other programs are harder to justify on earnings alone. Culinary arts and liberal arts both land around $25,000, near what you might earn without the degree at all. Liberal arts here works best as a transfer step toward a four-year school, not as a terminal degree. Treating it as an endpoint leaves you with weak pay.
Net price barely moves for lower incomes: you pay about $4,975 under $30k and $4,992 in the $30-48k band. It climbs above $7,000 once your family earns $48k or more, and near $8,900 above $75k. Even at the top tier, the cost stays low compared to most colleges.
This school fits you if you're staying on Kauai, want nursing, or plan to transfer credits cheaply. Look elsewhere if you want a culinary or liberal arts credential to be your final degree and expect it to lift your income.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Kauai Community College worth the cost?
Kauai Community College offers decent value with a low net price of $5,724 per year and manageable debt of $10,500. However, the 29% graduation rate is concerning, and average earnings of $36,868 after 10 years are modest compared to four-year schools.
What are the best paying programs at Kauai Community College?
Nursing programs at Kauai Community College provide the strongest ROI, with graduates earning around $54,661 annually. Hospitality management follows at $38,289, while liberal arts and culinary programs pay significantly less at around $25,000-26,000.
How much debt will I have after Kauai Community College?
The median debt at Kauai Community College is $10,500, which is relatively low for higher education. With the low annual cost of $5,724, many students can graduate with minimal debt if they complete their programs.
What is the graduation rate at Kauai Community College?
Only 29% of students graduate from Kauai Community College, which is below average even for community colleges. This low completion rate means many students may not see any return on their investment.