At $5,782/yr net price, Madisonville Community College graduates earn $35,733/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $1,733/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $5,782 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $23,128 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $35,733/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$1,733/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 13.3 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 55.0% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $8,450 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $4,556/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $4,681/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $7,716/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $9,098/yr |
| $110,001+ | $10,876/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Certificate | $65,657 | $5,750 |
| Electromechanical Instrumentation and Maintenance Technologies/Technicians. | Associate | $51,273 | $5,125 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Associate | $47,260 | $9,776 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Associate | $40,017 | $10,457 |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Associate | $36,848 | $7,500 |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions. | Associate | $28,598 | |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Associate | $25,194 | |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | Associate | $22,192 | |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Associate | $20,921 | $7,825 |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services. | Associate | $9,167 |
The Risk Factor
55.0% of students at Madisonville Community College graduate within 6 years. More than half of students finish, but the dropout rate is a real factor in whether this investment pays off.
Analysis
Madisonville Community College gives you a low-cost path with a strong payoff if you pick the right program. With debt under $9,000 at graduation and a 55% completion rate, the downside risk here is smaller than at most schools. The problem is the median: $35,733 ten years out is close to what you'd earn without the degree, which means your program choice does almost all the work.
Technical and health credentials are where the money is. The electromechanical instrumentation associate degree clears $51,000, and the registered nursing associate pays about $47,000 against under $10,000 in debt. These feed directly into the region's coal, manufacturing, and healthcare employers. Nursing carries the highest debt of the top programs but still pays it back fast. The allied health and medical assisting associate, at under $37,000, sits near the school-wide median and delivers a much thinner return for the same time and cost.
The main financial risk is finishing. Nearly half of students don't complete, and a dropped program leaves you with debt and no credential to justify it. The general track without a technical or clinical focus is where earnings stall, so avoid enrolling without a specific career target.
Net price stays low across every income band. If your family earns under $48,000, you pay roughly $4,600 a year, and even above $110,000 you're under $11,000. That flat, cheap structure makes this a good fit if you're staying in western Kentucky and want a nursing or skilled-trade credential without borrowing much.
Look elsewhere if you want a four-year degree or a career that pays well outside this region. There are no bachelor's programs here, and the median earnings show that a generic associate degree alone won't move your income far.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Madisonville Community College worth the cost?
Madisonville Community College offers solid value with a low net price of $5,782 per year and manageable debt of $8,450. However, the 10-year median earnings of $35,733 are modest, making this most worthwhile for students in high-paying programs like allied health or nursing.
What are the best paying programs at Madisonville Community College?
Allied health diagnostic programs lead with $65,657 in median earnings, followed by electromechanical instrumentation at $51,273 and nursing at $47,260. These programs offer much stronger returns than the overall school average of $35,733.
How much debt do Madisonville Community College graduates have?
Graduates typically leave with $8,450 in debt, which is relatively low for higher education. This manageable debt load helps offset the modest earning potential for most programs.
What is the graduation rate at Madisonville Community College?
The graduation rate is 55%, meaning nearly half of students don't complete their programs. This completion risk should factor into your decision, especially if you're considering lower-paying career paths.