At $4,352/yr net price, Montcalm Community College graduates earn $35,499/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $1,499/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $4,352 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $17,408 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $35,499/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$1,499/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 11.6 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 26.9% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $16,500 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $2,230/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $4,012/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $6,582/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $8,142/yr |
| $110,001+ | $9,978/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 | $56,022 | $20,273 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Associate | $29,141 | |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Certificate | $25,194 | |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants. | Certificate | $21,508 | |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Associate | $20,921 | $11,177 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | Associate | $16,169 |
The Risk Factor
26.9% of students at Montcalm 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
Montcalm Community College runs cheap and low-risk on the front end, but the payoff depends almost entirely on one program. At $4,352 a year, you're paying a fraction of what a four-year degree costs, and median debt stays low. The problem is the exit: median earnings ten years out sit at $35,499, and only about one in four students finishes.
Nursing is the reason to come here. The associate nursing program pays roughly $56,000 a decade out, nearly double what any other program at Montcalm returns. That's a real living wage in central Michigan, and it carries the highest debt on the list for a reason worth taking on. If you can get into and finish the nursing track, the math works cleanly.
Everything else is weaker. Accounting graduates land around $29,000, and the liberal arts associate comes in under $21,000, which is close to what full-time minimum-wage work pays. The two certificate paths, medical assisting and practical nursing, sit in the low-to-mid $20,000s. If you want the nursing salary, aim for the associate degree, not the practical nursing certificate, which pays over $30,000 less.
The specific risk here is the graduation rate. Nearly three out of four students leave without finishing, and the low sticker price doesn't help you if you never get the credential. Debt without a degree is the worst outcome on offer.
For families under $30,000, the net price drops to $2,230 a year, making this an affordable place to test college or train for nursing. Above $110,000, you pay close to $10,000 a year, which is still modest. Come here for nursing, commit to finishing, and it pays off. Come here undecided for a general associate degree, and the earnings barely clear an entry-level wage.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Montcalm Community College worth the money?
Montcalm Community College offers good value with a low net price of $4,352 per year, but the 27% graduation rate is concerning. The nursing programs provide strong returns with median earnings of $56,022, while other programs show weaker outcomes.
What programs at Montcalm Community College have the best job prospects?
Registered nursing graduates from Montcalm Community College earn a median of $56,022 annually, making it the clear winner. Accounting graduates earn $29,141, while liberal arts majors only reach $20,921.
How much debt do Montcalm Community College graduates have?
Montcalm Community College graduates have a median debt of $16,500, which is manageable for nursing majors but may be problematic for lower-earning programs like liberal arts.
What is the graduation rate at Montcalm Community College?
Only 27% of students graduate from Montcalm Community College. This low completion rate means many students may leave with debt but no degree to show for it.