At $17,772/yr net price, National Career College graduates earn $19,347/yr within 10 years of enrollment.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $17,772 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $71,088 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $19,347/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | $-14,653/yr |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 68.5% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $8,645 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $16,786/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $15,525/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $18,509/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $21,179/yr |
| $110,001+ | $22,577/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | Certificate | $25,194 | $8,340 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | Associate | $24,730 | |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Certificate | $22,572 | $8,291 |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions. | Certificate | $20,140 | $9,611 |
The Risk Factor
68.5% of students at National Career College graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 32% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
National Career College asks you to pay $17,772 a year, and ten years after enrolling the median graduate earns $19,347. That earnings figure sits below what a full-time minimum-wage job pays in California, which tells you the financial return here is weak. You would spend roughly a year's net price to reach an income that barely clears the poverty line for a single adult.
Every program listed here is a certificate or associate credential in a health support field, and none of them changes the math much. The strongest earner, Health and Medical Administrative Services, tops out around $25,000 a year. Dental Support Services sits near $20,000 while carrying the heaviest debt of the group at $9,611. So even the best-paying option leaves you in medical office and assisting work that pays entry-level wages across the Los Angeles market, where these jobs are common and the pay ceiling is low.
The specific risk here is that your earnings may not comfortably cover both living costs in Panorama City and repayment, even with median debt held near $8,645. The debt is modest, which is the one bright spot, but modest debt against sub-$20,000 income is still a strain.
The net price tiers work backward from what you might expect. If your family earns under $30,000, you pay about $16,786. if you earn over $110,000, you pay $22,577. Lower-income families get a discount, but $16,786 a year is still steep against these outcomes.
This school fits you if you want a short, specific path into a medical office job and you can keep costs down. If you have options for a community college certificate in the same field at a fraction of this price, look there first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is National Career College worth the money?
National Career College's ROI is poor, with graduates earning just $19,347 annually after 10 years while paying $17,772 per year in tuition. Most graduates will struggle to pay back their investment based on these low earnings.
What programs at National Career College have the best job prospects?
Health and Medical Administrative Services programs offer the highest earnings at around $25,000 annually. However, even these top programs produce below-average wages for college graduates.
How much debt do National Career College students typically have?
The median debt is $8,645, which is relatively low compared to other colleges. Still, with average earnings of only $19,347, graduates may find loan payments challenging on such modest salaries.
Does National Career College have good graduation rates?
National Career College has a 68.5% graduation rate, which is decent for a career college. However, the low post-graduation earnings remain the bigger concern for return on investment.