At $7,677/yr net price, Lassen Community College graduates earn $35,994/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $1,994/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $7,677 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $30,708 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $35,994/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$1,994/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 15.4 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 28.6% |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $6,165/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $8,938/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $11,036/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $16,268/yr |
The Risk Factor
28.6% of students at Lassen 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
Lassen Community College gives you a low-cost start with a weak payoff. At under $8,000 a year in net price, you are not taking on the kind of debt that a private four-year school would hand you. But median earnings ten years out sit below $36,000, and only about 3 in 10 students finish. Those two numbers together are the problem: the price is cheap, but the completion odds and the earnings ceiling are both low.
No bachelor-level program earnings are listed for this school, so treat any specific major as unproven on paper. As a two-year public college in rural Susanville, the realistic path is a transfer degree or a career certificate that feeds the local labor market. If you plan to transfer to a Cal State or UC and finish there, the low net price here makes Lassen a smart cost-cutting move for your first two years. If you stop after the associate degree, the earnings data suggests you may not clear far above local entry-level wages.
The biggest risk is finishing at all. A 28.6% graduation rate means the more likely outcome is leaving with credits and no credential, which returns little on even a modest cost.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families. If your household earns under $30,000, you pay just over $6,000 a year. at $75,000 to $110,000, that more than doubles to over $16,000. Middle- and upper-middle-income families lose most of the discount, so weigh Lassen against transfer plans and closer options before committing.
This school fits you if you want a cheap, local two-year launch and intend to transfer. Look elsewhere if you need strong standalone earnings from an associate degree.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Lassen Community College worth the cost?
Lassen Community College offers low costs at $7,677 per year, but graduates earn only $35,994 annually ten years later. The 28.6% graduation rate means most students don't finish their programs.
What is the return on investment for Lassen Community College?
The ROI is weak compared to other community colleges. Low earnings combined with a poor completion rate make it a risky investment for most students.
Do Lassen Community College graduates get good jobs?
Graduate earnings of $35,994 are below average for community college graduates in California. The low graduation rate suggests many students struggle to complete programs that lead to decent-paying careers.
Should I attend Lassen Community College or go somewhere else?
Consider other California community colleges with higher graduation rates and better graduate earnings. Lassen's rural location limits job opportunities, which hurts post-graduation prospects.