At $10,975/yr net price, Lake Tahoe Community College graduates earn $36,657/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $2,657/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $10,975 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $43,900 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $36,657/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$2,657/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 16.5 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 41.9% |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $10,979/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $10,798/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $11,159/yr |
The Risk Factor
41.9% of students at Lake Tahoe Community 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
Lake Tahoe Community College gives you a mixed financial picture. The median earnings ten years out sit at $36,657, which is modest and leaves little cushion against the roughly $11,000 you pay each year. Over a two-year associate track, that price is manageable, but the payoff depends heavily on what you do next.
No bachelor-level or program-specific salary data is listed for this school, so treat that $36,657 median as the realistic baseline for what a credential here delivers on its own. It is a starting wage, not a career-long ceiling, and it works best if you transfer to a four-year school or stack a vocational credential onto a local job in the South Lake Tahoe economy, which leans on tourism, hospitality, and service work.
The clearest financial risk is completion. Only about 42 percent of students graduate, so more than half leave without the credential they paid for. If you carry loans and stop out, you get the debt without the degree, and the earnings figure above assumes you finished. Going in with a plan to transfer or complete a specific certificate is what protects your money here.
The net price barely moves across income tiers. You pay close to $11,000 whether your family earns under $30,000 or between $48,000 and $75,000. That flat structure means lower-income families carry a heavier real burden, since the same dollar cost eats a larger share of household income.
This school fits you if you live nearby, want a low-cost path toward transfer or a local trade, and can commit to finishing. If you need a degree that pays well on its own without further schooling, the earnings here suggest you should look elsewhere.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lake Tahoe Community College worth the cost?
Lake Tahoe Community College offers a low net price of around $11,000 per year, but graduates earn only $36,657 annually after 10 years. The 42% graduation rate means many students don't finish, making the investment risky for degree completion.
What is the ROI for Lake Tahoe Community College graduates?
With earnings averaging $36,657 ten years after enrollment and a net price of $10,975 annually, the financial return is modest. The low graduation rate of 42% means many students invest time and money without completing their programs.
Which programs at Lake Tahoe Community College have the best job prospects?
As a community college, Lake Tahoe CC focuses on career training and transfer preparation rather than specific high-earning programs. Students planning to transfer to four-year universities may see better long-term returns than those entering the workforce directly.
How much debt do Lake Tahoe Community College students typically graduate with?
Community college students generally graduate with lower debt loads than four-year university students. However, the 42% graduation rate at Lake Tahoe CC means many students may accumulate costs without earning a credential.