At $15,026/yr net price, Nashua Community College graduates earn $46,164/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $12,164/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $15,026 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $60,104 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $46,164/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$12,164/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 4.9 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 30.2% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $11,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $12,770/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $18,175/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $18,752/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $18,752/yr |
| $110,001+ | $18,752/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 | $47,952 | |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies. | Associate | $38,289 | $10,549 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Associate | $33,993 | |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Associate | $25,774 | $12,300 |
The Risk Factor
30.2% of students at Nashua 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
Nashua Community College gives you a mixed financial return that leans on which program you pick. The median debt of $11,000 is low, and if you finish, you carry less than a single year's net price in loans. But the 30% graduation rate is the number that should worry you most: most people who start here do not finish, and a degree you never earn is money spent with little to show for it.
Nursing is the clear winner. At roughly $48,000 a year, the associate nursing track earns nearly double what liberal arts graduates make, and New Hampshire's healthcare hiring keeps those jobs steady. Auto repair technology is the second-best bet, pairing solid pay with the lowest debt of any program listed. Business sits in the middle. Liberal arts is the weakest financial choice here,the lowest pay and the highest debt of the four, which is a bad combination unless you treat it as a cheap transfer step toward a four-year degree elsewhere.
The specific risk at this school is starting a program and dropping out. With seven in ten students not graduating, you take on cost and lost time without the credential that makes the earnings possible.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families. If your household earns under $30,000, you pay noticeably less than everyone above you, and the price flattens out identically across every bracket above $48,000. That makes this a strong value if you qualify for the bottom tier and you enroll in nursing or auto tech.
Enroll here if you want a nursing or vehicle-repair credential and you are confident you'll finish. Look elsewhere if you're drawn to liberal arts as an endpoint, since the pay doesn't justify the debt at this school.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Nashua Community College worth the money?
Nashua Community College offers decent value if you complete a nursing program, with graduates earning nearly $48,000 annually. However, the 30% graduation rate means most students don't finish, making the investment risky for many.
What programs at Nashua Community College have the best ROI?
Registered nursing programs provide the strongest return at Nashua Community College, with graduates earning $47,952 annually. Vehicle maintenance programs also pay well at $38,289, while liberal arts graduates earn just $25,774.
How much debt do Nashua Community College graduates have?
Graduates leave Nashua Community College with a median debt of $11,000, which is manageable compared to four-year schools. The low debt load helps offset the modest earnings for most programs.
Why is Nashua Community College's graduation rate so low?
Only 30% of students graduate from Nashua Community College, reflecting common challenges at community colleges including part-time attendance and competing work obligations. This low completion rate significantly impacts the school's overall value proposition.