At $7,427/yr net price, Lane Community College graduates earn $38,075/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $4,075/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $7,427 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $29,708 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $38,075/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$4,075/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 7.3 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 21.9% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $14,761 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $7,427/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 | $68,422 | $16,500 |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions. | Associate | $58,943 | |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Associate | $54,252 | |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants. | Certificate | $46,673 | $10,879 |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Associate | $45,618 | |
| Precision Metal Working. | Associate | $40,485 | |
| Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians. | Associate | $39,369 | |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies. | Associate | $37,208 | |
| Design and Applied Arts. | Associate | $37,208 | |
| Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management. | Associate | $34,847 |
The Risk Factor
21.9% of students at Lane 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
Lane Community College gives you a low sticker price and a fast payoff if you pick the right program, but the overall numbers carry real risk. Net price sits around $7,400 a year and median debt lands under $15,000, so you won't graduate deep in the hole. The problem is finishing: fewer than one in four students completes, and the median earnings ten years out barely clear $38,000. That gap between low cost and low typical outcome is the whole story here.
Health care is where Lane pays off. The nursing associate degree leads the pack at over $68,000, nearly double the school-wide median, and dental support and allied diagnostic programs both clear $54,000. Even the practical nursing certificate hits nearly $47,000 while leaving you with less than $11,000 in debt. If you come to Lane for a clinical health credential and finish it, the math works in Eugene's health job market.
Outside those programs, the picture dims. The school-wide median earnings tell you that most non-health paths land well below what the nursing and allied health tracks produce. No bachelor-level program data is listed, so treat Lane as a stepping stone or a direct route into a health job, not a four-year replacement.
The financial risk is the completion rate. If you enroll, drift, and leave without a credential, you still owe for the terms you took, and the low earnings floor gives you little cushion. Lane fits you if you have a specific health career target and the discipline to finish, or if you plan to transfer credits cheaply before a four-year school. If you want a broad degree with no clear plan, the 22% grad rate makes this a gamble at any price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lane Community College worth the money?
Lane Community College offers decent value for healthcare programs, with nursing graduates earning $68,422 annually against a low net price of $7,427 per year. However, the overall graduate earnings of $38,075 are modest, and the 22% graduation rate means many students don't finish their programs.
What are the best paying programs at Lane Community College?
Registered nursing leads at $68,422 annually, followed by dental support services at $58,943. These healthcare-focused programs provide the strongest return on investment compared to the college's overall graduate earnings of $38,075.
How much debt do Lane Community College graduates have?
The median debt is $14,761, which is manageable for healthcare graduates but could be problematic for those in lower-paying fields. With overall graduate earnings at $38,075, debt payments would consume a significant portion of income for many programs.
Does Lane Community College have good job prospects after graduation?
Job prospects depend heavily on your program choice at Lane Community College. Healthcare programs like nursing and dental support show strong earning potential, but the low 22% graduation rate suggests many students struggle to complete their studies successfully.