At $14,494/yr net price, Lane College graduates earn $31,670/yr within 10 years of enrollment.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $14,494 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $57,976 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $31,670/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | $-2,330/yr |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 17.0% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $30,500 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $14,494/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Bachelor | $23,340 | $34,025 |
| Sociology. | Bachelor | $21,508 | $36,438 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Bachelor | $19,455 | $36,500 |
The Risk Factor
17.0% of students at Lane 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
Lane College's numbers are hard to defend financially. Ten years after enrolling, your median earnings land near $31,670, which is close to what many jobs pay without any degree at all. Pair that with $30,500 in median debt and the math gets tight fast.
The bigger problem is finishing. Only 17% of students graduate, and fewer than half return after their first year. If you leave with debt but no degree, you carry the loan payments without the credential that was supposed to justify them. That risk hits before earnings ever enter the picture.
None of the top programs pay off well. Business Administration graduates earn about $23,340 while carrying $34,025 in debt. Sociology and Criminal Justice sit even lower, both under $22,000 in earnings against debt above $36,000. You would be borrowing more than you can expect to earn in a year, and repayment on that gap is punishing at these salary levels. There is no bachelor's program here where the earnings clearly outrun the debt.
The net price is the same $14,494 whether your family earns under $30,000 or more, which means low-income families get no meaningful break on cost. At roughly $58,000 over four years before living expenses, that is a heavy bill for the outcomes on record.
This school makes financial sense only if cost is not your main concern and you are certain you will graduate. If you are borrowing to attend and counting on your degree to pay it back, the earnings and completion numbers here should push you to compare other schools closely. Confirm the total you would borrow against the salary you can realistically expect in the Jackson, TN market before committing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lane College worth the cost?
Lane College graduates earn a median of $31,670 ten years after enrollment, which provides modest returns given the net price of $14,494 per year. The 17% graduation rate is concerning and significantly impacts the school's overall value proposition.
What are the highest paying programs at Lane College?
Business Administration graduates from Lane College earn around $23,340 annually, making it the highest-paying program at the school. Sociology and Criminal Justice follow at $21,508 and $19,455 respectively, though all of these figures are below national averages for college graduates.
How much student debt do Lane College graduates have?
Lane College graduates carry a median debt of $30,500, which is manageable compared to some schools but represents a significant burden given the low post-graduation earnings. The debt-to-income ratio creates financial challenges for many graduates.
What is the graduation rate at Lane College and why does it matter?
Lane College has a 17% graduation rate, meaning most students who enroll do not complete their degree. This dramatically reduces the return on investment since students who don't graduate still accumulate debt and opportunity costs without receiving a degree.