At $8,084/yr net price, Klamath Community College graduates earn $34,357/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $357/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $8,084 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $32,336 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $34,357/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$357/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 90.6 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 36.7% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $17,480 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $7,160/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $6,945/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $9,298/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $10,297/yr |
| $110,001+ | $14,177/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Associate | $24,615 | $12,500 |
The Risk Factor
36.7% of students at Klamath 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
Klamath Community College gives you a low-cost entry into higher education, but the payoff on the other end is thin. Median earnings ten years out land at roughly $34,000 a year, which is modest even for someone with an associate degree. The gap between what you pay to attend and what you earn afterward is the core problem here.
The one program with reported earnings data, Liberal Arts and Sciences and General Studies, pays around $24,600 a year for graduates. That is a transfer-oriented associate degree, meant to move you into a four-year school, so treat it as a stepping stone and not an endpoint. If you stop at the associate level, those earnings are what you are looking at. No career-technical or higher-earning program data is listed, so there is no evidence here that any specific major pays off strongly.
The financial risk is that a 36.7% graduation rate means most people who enroll do not finish. If you borrow the median $17,480 and leave without a credential, you carry the debt with none of the earnings bump. Debt on the liberal arts track is lower, around $12,500, which softens the blow if you use it purely to transfer.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families most: you pay under $7,200 a year if your family earns below $48,000, and that climbs past $14,000 for families over $110,000. If you come from a lower-income household and plan to transfer to a four-year school, the cost here is manageable and the risk is contained. If you are paying the top-tier price or expect this degree alone to lift your earnings, look elsewhere. The numbers do not support treating Klamath as a terminal destination.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Klamath Community College worth the cost?
With graduates earning $34,357 ten years after enrollment and a net price of $8,084 per year, Klamath Community College provides modest returns. The low cost helps, but the graduation rate of 37% means many students don't finish.
What are the best paying programs at Klamath Community College?
The top programs at Klamath Community College are Liberal Arts and General Studies, with graduates earning around $24,615. These earnings are below the national average for community college graduates.
How much debt do Klamath Community College students typically graduate with?
Students who borrow at Klamath Community College graduate with a median debt of $17,480. This debt level is manageable given the school's low annual cost of $8,084.
Should I attend Klamath Community College or transfer to a four-year school?
Klamath Community College works best as a stepping stone to a four-year degree rather than a final destination. The low cost makes it a reasonable option for completing general education requirements before transferring.