At $1,771/yr net price, Moraine Valley Community College graduates earn $43,892/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $9,892/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $1,771 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $7,084 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $43,892/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$9,892/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 0.7 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 33.2% |
| 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 | $1,623/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $11,921/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $11,921/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 | $60,325 | $17,196 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | Associate | $48,849 | |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Associate | $47,455 | $9,550 |
| Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management. | Certificate | $41,565 | |
| Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management. | Associate | $33,993 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Associate | $33,281 | |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies. | Associate | $31,133 | |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | Certificate | $29,685 | |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Certificate | $29,141 | |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions. | Certificate | $24,421 |
The Risk Factor
33.2% of students at Moraine Valley 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
Moraine Valley gives you a low-cost entry point with a modest payoff. A net price under $2,000 a year and median debt of $9,500 mean you can finish without a heavy loan burden, but median earnings of about $44,000 ten years out tell you this is a stepping stone, not a destination.
Nursing is the clear financial winner here. The associate nursing program pays over $60,000, the highest on campus, though it also carries the most debt at roughly $17,000. Health and medical administrative services and allied health both clear $47,000, and both come cheaper than nursing. The computing programs are weaker: the associate in IT administration pays under $34,000, below the school's own median, and the certificate version pays more than the degree, so paying for the longer credential does not add up if IT is your target.
The biggest risk is finishing. Only a third of students graduate, so the strong nursing and allied health returns only apply if you actually complete the credential. Start one of these programs and drop out, and you keep the cost without the earnings gain.
The net price tiers are the sharpest divide here. If your family earns under $30,000, you pay about $1,600 a year. But the jump to the $30,000-$75,000 range pushes your price to roughly $11,900, a nearly sevenfold increase. Middle-income families lose most of the affordability advantage that makes this school attractive.
This is a good fit for you if you're low-income and headed into nursing or allied health, where the cost is small and the payoff is real. Look elsewhere if you're aiming at IT or coming from a middle-income household chasing the low sticker price, since your actual bill will be much higher and the earnings may not justify it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Moraine Valley Community College worth the money?
At $1,771 per year, Moraine Valley offers good value for students who complete programs, especially in nursing where graduates earn $60,325. However, the 33% graduation rate means many students don't finish their programs.
What programs at Moraine Valley Community College have the best ROI?
Nursing programs provide the strongest return, with graduates earning around $60,000 annually. Health administration and allied health programs also pay well at $48,000-$47,000, while IT programs show more mixed results.
How much debt do Moraine Valley Community College graduates have?
Graduates who borrow money leave with a median debt of $9,500. This is relatively low debt, but earnings of $43,892 after 10 years mean loan payments could still be challenging for some graduates.
Does Moraine Valley Community College help students get good jobs?
Job outcomes depend heavily on your program choice. Nursing and health programs lead to solid middle-class wages, but other programs may not provide enough earning power to justify even the low tuition cost.