At $5,198/yr net price, Mission College graduates earn $50,936/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $16,936/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $5,198 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $20,792 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $50,936/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$16,936/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 1.2 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 52.5% |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $3,856/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $4,738/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $7,959/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $9,157/yr |
| $110,001+ | $7,049/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 |
The Risk Factor
52.5% of students at Mission 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
Mission College gives you a strong financial return for a community college. At about $5,200 a year in net price, your total cost to attend runs low, and the median earnings of $50,936 ten years out comfortably clear that investment. For a two-year public school in Santa Clara, that math works in your favor.
Nursing is the standout here. The associate degree in Registered Nursing pushes graduates to roughly $84,700 a year, which sits far above the school-wide median and reflects the steady demand for nurses across Silicon Valley's hospital systems. If you can get into and finish the nursing track, this is the clearest payoff Mission College offers.
The main risk is completion. Just over half of students graduate, so nearly half leave without a credential while still carrying whatever costs and time they put in. A community college degree only pays off if you finish it, and the odds here are close to a coin flip. If you enroll, treat finishing as the whole point.
Beyond nursing, no bachelor-level program data is listed, so plan on Mission College as a transfer or workforce stepping stone. It fits you well if you want an affordable start toward a four-year degree or a direct route into nursing. Look elsewhere if you need a bachelor's completed on one campus.
The net price tiers hold a quirk worth watching. If your family earns under $48k, you pay less than $4,800 a year. But the $48k-$110k range pays more than families earning over $110k, peaking around $9,200 in the $75k-$110k tier. If you land in that middle band, budget for the higher cost and press the financial aid office on what grants you qualify for before committing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mission College worth the cost for nursing programs?
Mission College's nursing programs show strong ROI with graduates earning around $84,653 annually, well above the overall graduate average of $50,936. The low net price of $5,198 per year makes nursing one of the few programs where the investment clearly pays off.
What is Mission College's return on investment compared to other schools?
Mission College graduates earn $50,936 ten years after enrollment, which is below the national average for college graduates. However, the extremely low net price of $5,198 per year reduces financial risk compared to more expensive institutions.
How much debt do Mission College students typically graduate with?
With a net price of only $5,198 per year, most Mission College students graduate with minimal debt compared to four-year universities. The low cost structure makes it a safer financial choice, though earnings potential varies significantly by program.
Should I attend Mission College if I'm not studying nursing?
Mission College's 52.5% graduation rate and $50,936 average earnings suggest mixed outcomes for non-nursing programs. The low cost reduces financial risk, but students should carefully research job prospects in their specific field of study.