At $11,752/yr net price, Manhattan Area Technical College graduates earn $51,864/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $17,864/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $11,752 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $47,008 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $51,864/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$17,864/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 2.6 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 66.1% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $9,500 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $7,950/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $11,261/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $13,887/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $17,807/yr |
| $110,001+ | $15,555/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions. | Associate | $55,036 | |
| Electrical and Power Transmission Installers. | Associate | $54,035 | |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Associate | $51,750 | $12,300 |
| Electrical and Power Transmission Installers. | Certificate | $47,260 | |
| Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management. | Associate | $41,007 | |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies. | Associate | $34,526 | |
| Precision Metal Working. | Certificate | $29,141 | $5,500 |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants. | Certificate | $25,194 | $9,500 |
| Business Operations Support and Assistant Services. | Associate | $19,227 |
The Risk Factor
66.1% of students at Manhattan Area Technical College graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 34% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
Manhattan Area Technical College gives you a strong financial return for a two-year school. You graduate with a median debt of $9,500 and earn median pay near $52,000 a decade later, which means your debt is paid off well inside a year of that salary. The 66% graduation rate matters here because you actually finish and start earning, unlike at schools where most people leave with debt and no credential.
The payoff depends heavily on your program. Dental support and electrical power transmission associate degrees both clear $54,000, and both feed directly into local trades and healthcare demand in the Manhattan and Fort Riley region. Nursing pays about $51,750 but carries the highest program debt on the list at $12,300, so your margin is thinner there. The computer and IT administration associate sits at the bottom near $41,000, roughly $13,000 less than the top trades, so pick it knowing the return is weaker.
The certificate route in electrical power transmission earns about $47,260, less than the associate version of the same field. If you can commit to the full degree, the extra time buys you real money.
The main financial risk is choosing the lower-paying track or not finishing, since one in three of you does not graduate. There is no bachelor's-level data here, so treat this as a stop for a specific trade credential, not a four-year path.
This school fits you if you want a healthcare or electrical trade credential and plan to work in the region. The net price tiers reward lower incomes: under $30k you pay about $7,950, while families between $48k and $110k pay the most, peaking near $17,800. If your family earns in that middle band, run the numbers carefully before enrolling.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Manhattan Area Technical College worth the cost?
With a net price of $11,752 per year and median earnings of $51,864 after 10 years, Manhattan Area Technical College offers solid ROI for a technical school. The low median debt of $9,500 makes it a relatively safe investment compared to four-year schools.
What are the highest paying programs at Manhattan Area Technical College?
Dental support services ($55,036) and electrical/power transmission installation ($54,035) are the top earners at Manhattan Area Technical College. These programs significantly outperform the school's average and justify the tuition cost.
How much debt do Manhattan Area Technical College graduates have?
Manhattan Area Technical College graduates leave with a median debt of $9,500, which is manageable given the earning potential. This low debt load reduces financial risk compared to most colleges.
What is Manhattan Area Technical College's graduation rate?
Manhattan Area Technical College has a 66% graduation rate, meaning about one in three students don't finish their program. This completion risk should factor into your decision, especially for lower-paying programs like IT management.