At $8,043/yr net price, Mountwest Community and Technical College graduates earn $28,951/yr within 10 years of enrollment.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $8,043 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $32,172 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $28,951/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | $-5,049/yr |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 16.8% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $7,446 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $8,038/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $9,991/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $7,686/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $6,573/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Associate | $28,055 | $8,250 |
| Precision Metal Working. | Associate | $24,035 | |
| Legal Support Services. | Associate | $19,455 |
The Risk Factor
16.8% of students at Mountwest Community and Technical 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
Mountwest offers a low-cost, high-risk deal. You pay about $8,000 a year and borrow little , median debt sits around $7,446, less than a single year's net price. But the payoff is thin. Ten years after enrolling, the typical Mountwest student earns under $29,000 a year, and only about 17% of students finish. That combination is the core problem: cheap tuition means little if you don't graduate, and most students here don't.
The program data confirms the ceiling. Allied Health and Medical Assisting pays the most at roughly $28,055 a year, but you carry about $8,250 in debt to get there , nearly a full year of that salary. Precision Metal Working pays about $24,000 with no listed debt, making it the safer financial bet if you want hands-on work in the Huntington region. Legal Support Services sits at the bottom near $19,455, which barely clears entry-level wages and is hard to justify unless it's a stepping stone to more school.
The net price tiers hold a trap. If your family earns $30,000 to $48,000, you pay the most , about $9,991 a year , more than families earning under $30,000 or those in the $48,000-$75,000 band. That middle-income squeeze means your aid does not scale smoothly with need.
Mountwest fits you if you want a specific, low-cost credential in health support or metal working, live near Huntington, and are confident you'll finish quickly. Look elsewhere if you're unsure about completing, since the 17% graduation rate makes dropping out with debt the likeliest outcome, or if you need earnings above $30,000 to make the numbers work.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mountwest Community and Technical College worth the cost?
Mountwest offers low tuition at $8,043 per year, but graduates earn just $28,951 annually after 10 years. With only a 17% graduation rate, most students don't finish their programs.
What are the best paying programs at Mountwest Community and Technical College?
Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services leads with $28,055 average earnings, followed by Precision Metal Working at $24,035. Legal Support Services pays less at $19,455 annually.
How much debt do Mountwest Community and Technical College graduates have?
Graduates have relatively low debt at $7,446 median. However, the low graduation rate means many students may accumulate debt without completing their degrees.
Does Mountwest Community and Technical College have good job outcomes?
Graduate earnings of $28,951 after 10 years are below the national average for college graduates. The extremely low 17% graduation rate suggests most students struggle to complete programs successfully.