At $6,443/yr net price, Mt Hood Community College graduates earn $41,125/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $7,125/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $6,443 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $25,772 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $41,125/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$7,125/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 3.6 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 26.1% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $13,667 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $4,193/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $5,610/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $7,561/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $11,220/yr |
| $110,001+ | $12,483/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions. | Associate | $63,005 | |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants. | Certificate | $48,432 | |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Associate | $48,041 | $13,036 |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Associate | $43,128 | $16,625 |
| Fishing and Fisheries Sciences and Management. | Associate | $30,409 | |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Associate | $24,267 | $7,773 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Associate | $24,035 |
The Risk Factor
26.1% of students at Mt Hood 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
Mt Hood Community College keeps your costs low, but the payoff is thin. At $6,443 a year in net price, you are not taking on much, and median debt sits under $14,000. The problem is what comes after: median earnings ten years out land around $41,000, which is community-college territory, not a strong career floor for a school listed as four-year. The 26% graduation rate is the biggest risk here. Roughly three in four students who start do not finish, and a credential you never complete is money spent for little return.
No bachelor-level program salary data is listed, so there is no honest way to say which majors here pay off and which don't. Treat any earnings figure attached to a certificate or associate program as exactly that, and do not assume it scales up to a four-year degree.
The financial risk specific to Mt Hood is completion, not cost. Your debt stays manageable, but the low graduation rate means the odds of walking away with nothing are real. Go in with a clear plan for finishing and a specific program in mind.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families. Under $30k, you pay about $4,200. over $110k, you pay closer to $12,500. That gap of roughly three times means this school is a genuine bargain if your family income is modest, and a middling deal if it isn't.
This is a good fit if you want a low-cost path into a specific trade or transfer program and you are confident you will finish. If you are betting on a four-year degree to drive strong long-term earnings, the completion odds and the $41,000 median suggest you look elsewhere.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mt Hood Community College worth the money?
Mt Hood Community College offers solid value for healthcare programs, with dental support and nursing graduates earning $48,000-$63,000 annually. The low net price of $6,443 per year and modest debt load of $13,667 make it financially accessible, though the 26% graduation rate indicates completion challenges.
What are the best paying programs at Mt Hood Community College?
Dental support services leads with $63,005 in median earnings, followed by practical nursing at $48,432. Most healthcare-related programs at Mt Hood pay well above the overall school average of $41,125, making them the clear ROI winners.
How much debt do Mt Hood Community College graduates have?
Mt Hood graduates carry a median debt of $13,667, which is manageable compared to four-year colleges. Healthcare program graduates can typically handle this debt load given their higher earning potential.
What is the graduation rate at Mt Hood Community College?
Only 26% of Mt Hood students graduate, which is low even for community colleges. This means many students spend money without completing their programs, making careful program selection and academic planning critical.