At $7,795/yr net price, Labette Community College graduates earn $37,818/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $3,818/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $7,795 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $31,180 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $37,818/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$3,818/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 8.2 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 28.7% |
| 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 | $7,206/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $6,226/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $8,340/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $10,624/yr |
| $110,001+ | $10,994/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 | $52,107 | $14,406 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Associate | $35,594 | |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Associate | $19,455 | $9,665 |
The Risk Factor
28.7% of students at Labette 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
Labette Community College gives you a low-cost path with one clear payoff and several dead ends. At under $8,000 a year and a median debt of just $10,500, your downside risk is small in dollar terms. But the median earnings ten years out sit below what many high school graduates earn, so the degree itself does not guarantee a return. The 28.7% graduation rate is the bigger problem: most people who enroll here do not finish, and an unfinished credential with any debt is the worst outcome.
Nursing is the reason to come here. The associate nursing program pays roughly $52,000 ten years out, nearly triple what the general liberal arts track returns and about $16,000 more than allied health. That gap is the whole story. If you enroll in nursing and finish, this is a strong financial deal in the Parsons region, where hospital and clinic demand keeps those wages steady. The allied health associate degree is a reasonable second option. The liberal arts and general studies track pays under $20,000 and only makes sense as a transfer step toward a four-year degree, not as an endpoint.
The net price tiers hold a quirk worth catching: families earning $30-48k pay the least, around $6,200, while families over $75k pay about $10,600. If your family income is under $48k, this is one of the cheapest college options you will find. Above $110k, you pay close to the sticker price with no discount.
Come here if you want nursing or a cheap transfer year and you are confident you will finish. Look elsewhere if you are drawn to the general studies track as a terminal degree, since those earnings do not justify even this low cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Labette Community College worth the cost?
Labette Community College offers good value at $7,795 per year if you complete a nursing program, which leads to median earnings of $52,107. However, the 28.7% graduation rate means most students don't finish, and liberal arts graduates earn just $19,455 annually.
What programs at Labette Community College have the best ROI?
Nursing programs at Labette Community College provide the strongest return, with graduates earning $52,107 compared to the $10,500 median debt load. Allied health programs also pay well at $35,594, while liberal arts graduates earn only $19,455.
How much debt do Labette Community College students graduate with?
Labette Community College graduates carry a median debt of $10,500, which is manageable for nursing and allied health graduates but creates financial strain for liberal arts students earning under $20,000 annually.
What is the graduation rate at Labette Community College?
Only 28.7% of students graduate from Labette Community College. This low completion rate means many students leave with debt but no degree, making program selection and academic support critical for success.