At $11,070/yr net price, Linn-Benton Community College graduates earn $41,363/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $7,363/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $11,070 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $44,280 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $41,363/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$7,363/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 6 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 24.9% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $11,961 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $7,522/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $8,488/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $11,693/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $14,327/yr |
| $110,001+ | $14,551/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 | $71,686 | $17,296 |
| Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies. | Associate | $52,107 | |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Associate | $47,260 | $13,250 |
| Precision Metal Working. | Associate | $42,123 | |
| Environmental Control Technologies/Technicians. | Associate | $41,193 | |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Associate | $36,914 | $15,334 |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies. | Associate | $36,141 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Associate | $30,771 | |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Associate | $29,685 | |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Associate | $27,066 |
The Risk Factor
24.9% of students at Linn-Benton 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
Linn-Benton Community College gives you a workable financial return if you pick the right program, and a poor one if you don't. The median debt after graduating is low enough that you won't be buried, but the median earnings ten years out sit close to what a strong trade or health program pays in a single year here. That gap tells you the school's value is concentrated, not spread evenly.
Nursing is the clear winner. It pays more than any other program on this list and roughly $30,000 a year more than the school-wide median, even though it carries the highest debt load. Heavy equipment maintenance and the allied health and metalworking associate programs also clear the median comfortably. If you enroll here for one of these hands-on or health credentials, the math works in your favor. If you enroll without a plan and land near the median, your degree pays like a job you could have gotten without it.
The real risk is completion. Only about a quarter of students finish, and every earnings number above assumes you actually graduate. Drop out and you keep the debt without the credential that justifies it. Treat the low grad rate as the main thing standing between you and the returns these programs offer.
Net price is where lower-income families get the biggest break: under $30k income, you pay less than a third of what families over $110k pay. If your family earns under $48k, the price stays reasonable and the low debt keeps risk down. Above $75k, the price nearly doubles, so the payoff depends entirely on landing in nursing or a trade.
Come here for nursing, health, or a skilled trade and finish. Look elsewhere if you want a general transfer path with no clear vocational target.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Linn-Benton Community College worth the cost?
Linn-Benton's value depends heavily on your program choice. Nursing graduates earn $71,686 annually while general graduates average $41,363, making some programs much better investments than others.
What programs at Linn-Benton Community College have the best ROI?
Registered Nursing offers the strongest return at $71,686 median earnings, followed by Heavy Equipment Maintenance at $52,107. These technical programs significantly outperform the school's overall graduate earnings of $41,363.
How much debt do Linn-Benton Community College graduates have?
Median debt is $11,961, which is manageable compared to four-year schools. However, with a 25% graduation rate, many students leave without completing their programs.
Why is Linn-Benton Community College's graduation rate so low?
Only 25% of students graduate, which is concerning for ROI since you need to finish your program to see earnings benefits. This suggests many students either transfer or drop out before completing their credentials.