At $10,176/yr net price, Modesto Junior College graduates earn $42,368/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $8,368/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $10,176 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $40,704 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $42,368/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$8,368/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 4.9 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 26.1% |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $8,525/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $11,815/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $12,677/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $13,215/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 | $86,263 | |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Associate | $33,993 | |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Associate | $21,052 |
The Risk Factor
26.1% of students at Modesto Junior 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
Modesto Junior College costs you about $10,000 a year and pays back a mid-$40,000s salary a decade after you enroll. That return is thin, and the bigger problem sits in the graduation rate: only about a quarter of students finish. If you leave without a credential, you carry the cost with none of the earnings bump, and at this school the odds of that are high.
No bachelor-level program earnings are listed here, so treat any specific major payoff as unknown. What you can count on is the community-college math: the value comes from finishing a two-year degree cheaply and either transferring or moving into a local job. The Modesto and Central Valley economy leans on agriculture, healthcare, and trades, so a completed certificate or associate degree that plugs into those fields is where your money goes furthest. A degree you don't finish returns nothing.
The net price tiers barely move with income, which is the real financial risk for you. If your family earns under $30k, you pay around $8,500. if it earns $75k-$110k, you pay around $13,200. That's a difference of under $5,000 despite a huge income gap, so lower-income families get modest relief while middle-income families see little discount off an already low sticker price.
This school fits you if you live nearby, want to keep costs down, and are committed to finishing a specific two-year program or transferring to a four-year school. It's a weaker bet if you need a degree to raise your earnings on its own and are unsure you'll complete it, since the low completion rate makes the price a gamble. The affordability is real. the finishing risk is the thing to plan around.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Modesto Junior College worth the cost?
Modesto Junior College offers strong value for specific career-focused programs, particularly nursing which leads to $86,263 median earnings. However, the overall 26% graduation rate and $42,368 median earnings for all graduates suggest mixed returns depending on your chosen program.
What programs at Modesto Junior College have the best ROI?
Nursing programs at Modesto Junior College provide the strongest return on investment with median earnings of $86,263. Allied health programs also perform well at $33,993, while liberal arts graduates earn significantly less at $21,052.
How much debt do Modesto Junior College students typically have?
As a community college, Modesto Junior College has a relatively low net price of $10,176 per year. Most students can complete programs with minimal debt, especially those eligible for financial aid or California's Promise Grant program.
Why is Modesto Junior College's graduation rate so low?
The 26% graduation rate reflects the nature of community colleges where many students transfer to four-year schools, work part-time, or take longer to complete programs. This rate doesn't necessarily indicate poor value for students who complete their intended programs.