At $5,261/yr net price, Monroe County Community College graduates earn $41,646/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $7,646/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $5,261 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $21,044 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $41,646/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$7,646/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 2.8 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 31.4% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $12,296 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $2,982/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $3,019/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $5,086/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $8,391/yr |
| $110,001+ | $9,117/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 | $57,811 | $14,835 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Associate | $51,482 | $13,000 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Associate | $27,681 | $11,041 |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services. | Associate | $27,204 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Associate | $24,421 | $13,443 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Associate | $22,420 | |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Associate | $16,786 |
The Risk Factor
31.4% of students at Monroe County Community 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
Monroe County Community College gives you a low-cost entry point with a payoff that depends almost entirely on what you study. At around $5,261 a year with median debt near $12,000, the downside is small, but the median graduate earns $41,646 a decade out, which is modest. The gap between programs is what should drive your decision.
Nursing is the clear win here. It pays roughly double what business or liberal arts graduates earn, and the extra debt over those programs is small enough that the math is easy. Allied health lands close behind. Both feed into steady regional healthcare demand, so these credentials carry weight when you look for work near Monroe.
The rest is weaker. Culinary arts, business, and liberal arts all land in the mid-$20,000s, below what many high school graduates make without any degree or debt. If you take on $13,443 in loans for the business associate and earn $24,421, the return does not justify the borrowing. Treat these as transfer stepping stones toward a four-year degree, not as end points.
The biggest financial risk is the 31 percent graduation rate. If you borrow and leave without finishing, you carry debt with no credential to show for it, and that is the most common way an affordable school turns into a bad deal.
On price, the tiers reward lower-income families. Under $48,000 you pay around $3,000 a year. above $110,000 you pay closer to $9,117. Even the top tier stays cheap by college standards.
This school fits you if you enter the nursing or allied health track, or if you use it as a low-cost launch toward transfer. Look elsewhere if you plan to stop at a culinary, business, or general studies associate and expect it to pay off on its own.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Monroe County Community College worth the money?
Monroe County Community College offers good value if you choose the right program. Nursing graduates earn $57,811 annually while the school costs only $5,261 per year, but liberal arts graduates average just $27,681.
What are the best paying programs at Monroe County Community College?
Registered Nursing is the clear winner at Monroe County Community College, with graduates earning $57,811 annually. Allied health programs also pay well at $51,482, while business and culinary programs lag behind at around $25,000.
How much debt do Monroe County Community College students graduate with?
Monroe County Community College graduates carry a median debt of $12,296. This is manageable for nursing graduates who earn $57,811, but creates financial strain for those in lower-paying fields like business or culinary arts.
What is the graduation rate at Monroe County Community College?
Only 31.4% of students graduate from Monroe County Community College. This low completion rate means many students leave with debt but no degree, making careful program selection and academic planning critical.