At $10,658/yr net price, Los Angeles Trade Technical College graduates earn $35,233/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $1,233/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $10,658 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $42,632 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $35,233/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$1,233/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 34.6 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 27.0% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $10,500 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $10,048/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $10,878/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $12,375/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $13,935/yr |
| $110,001+ | $18,516/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 | $84,653 | |
| Electrical and Power Transmission Installers. | Associate | $41,937 | |
| Environmental Control Technologies/Technicians. | Associate | $21,508 | |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services. | Associate | $19,045 |
The Risk Factor
27.0% of students at Los Angeles Trade Technical 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
Los Angeles Trade Technical College presents a mixed financial picture that depends almost entirely on which program you pick. The overall median earnings ten years out sit around $35,000, which is thin for the LA cost of living, and only 27% of students graduate. But that median hides a huge spread between programs.
Nursing is the clear winner here. The associate nursing program pays roughly double the school-wide median, and in a city with constant hospital demand, that credential holds up. If you can get into and finish nursing, the low debt load of around $10,500 makes the return strong.
The trades and food programs are a different story. Electrical and power transmission installers earn a solid living, and that skill is regionally in demand. But environmental control technicians and culinary arts both land near $20,000 a year, which is below what a full-time minimum wage worker earns in LA. Paying $10,000-plus per year in net price for a credential that leads to $19,000 in earnings is a poor trade.
The biggest risk at this school is the 27% graduation rate. Debt does not care whether you finish. If you borrow and drop out, you carry the cost with no credential to show for it, and nearly three-quarters of students land in that position.
Net price barely moves by income here. Families under $48,000 pay about the same as families earning six figures until you cross $110,000. This is a good fit if you have a clear target of nursing or electrical work and the resolve to finish. If you are drawn to culinary or environmental tech, the earnings do not justify the cost, and you should look elsewhere or find a lower-cost path.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Los Angeles Trade Technical College worth the money?
The value depends heavily on your program choice. Nursing graduates earn $84,653 annually, making the $10,658 yearly cost worthwhile, but other programs like culinary arts lead to much lower earnings of $19,045.
What is the graduation rate at Los Angeles Trade Technical College?
Only 27% of students graduate, which is significantly below average for community colleges. This low completion rate means many students end up with debt but no credential.
How much debt do Los Angeles Trade Technical College graduates have?
The median debt is $10,500, which is manageable for nursing graduates but could be problematic for those in lower-paying programs. The relatively low cost helps keep debt levels reasonable compared to four-year schools.
Which programs at Los Angeles Trade Technical College have the best ROI?
Nursing programs offer the strongest return with graduates earning over $84,000 annually. Electrical and power transmission installer programs also provide decent earnings at nearly $42,000, while culinary and environmental tech programs show weaker financial outcomes.