At $8,651/yr net price, Mount Wachusett Community College graduates earn $41,118/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $7,118/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $8,651 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $34,604 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $41,118/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$7,118/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 4.9 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 29.1% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $10,252 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $5,834/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $6,156/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $7,275/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $11,509/yr |
| $110,001+ | $13,921/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 | $61,814 | $13,825 |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions. | Associate | $56,157 | |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants. | Certificate | $55,547 | $12,134 |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Associate | $37,054 | $10,720 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Associate | $32,925 | $7,322 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Associate | $30,771 | $12,000 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Associate | $30,409 | $11,961 |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services. | Associate | $25,967 | $4,691 |
| Human Services, General. | Associate | $23,803 | $4,500 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Associate | $22,700 | $9,825 |
The Risk Factor
29.1% of students at Mount Wachusett 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
Mount Wachusett's ROI depends almost entirely on which program you pick. The school-wide median earnings ten years out sit below what its top health programs deliver, which tells you the average is dragged down by lower-paying fields. Pay $8,651 a year against $10,252 in median debt, and the debt load is manageable. But a 29% graduation rate is the real risk: if you don't finish, you carry cost with no credential to show for it.
Nursing is where the money is. The associate nursing degree pays more than any other program here, and even the practical nursing certificate clears $55,000. Dental support lands close behind. These three health tracks are the reason to enroll. The gap is steep after that: the general computer and information sciences associate pays roughly half what nursing does, and allied health and medical assisting sits in the middle. If health care isn't your target, the earnings case gets thin fast.
The specific risk here is starting a program and not completing it. With most students not graduating, the associate degrees that pay off require you to actually finish the clinical sequence. Nursing debt runs higher than the computer track, so borrowing only makes sense if you're committed to the credential.
Net price barely moves across the lower income tiers. Under $30k you pay $5,834. up to $75k you pay $7,275. Above $75k the price jumps to $11,509, and over $110k it hits $13,921. This is a strong financial fit if your family income is under $75k and you're aiming at nursing or dental support. If you want computer science or a general track, or you'd pay the top tier, look at cheaper or higher-earning options first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mount Wachusett Community College worth the money?
Mount Wachusett Community College offers decent value for specific programs, particularly nursing and dental support, which lead to starting salaries around $55,000-$62,000. However, the overall graduate earnings of $41,118 after 10 years barely justify even the low $8,651 annual cost for many programs.
What are the best paying programs at Mount Wachusett Community College?
Nursing programs at Mount Wachusett Community College provide the strongest ROI, with registered nursing graduates earning around $61,814 and dental support services graduates making $56,157. Computer science graduates earn significantly less at $32,925, making those programs harder to justify financially.
How much debt do Mount Wachusett Community College students graduate with?
Mount Wachusett Community College graduates leave with a median debt of $10,252, which is manageable compared to four-year schools. This low debt load helps offset the school's poor 29% graduation rate for students who do complete their programs.
Does Mount Wachusett Community College have good job placement rates?
Mount Wachusett Community College's 29% graduation rate suggests many students struggle to complete programs, though specific job placement data isn't available. The school works best for students committed to healthcare programs where local demand is strong.