At $31,626/yr net price, National Polytechnic College graduates earn $30,781/yr within 10 years of enrollment.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $31,626 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $126,504 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $30,781/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | $-3,219/yr |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 72.7% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $16,098 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $28,067/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $32,812/yr |
| $110,001+ | $32,812/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions. | Certificate | $40,467 | |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Certificate | $28,598 | |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Certificate | $28,357 | |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Certificate | $20,140 |
The Risk Factor
72.7% of students at National Polytechnic College graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 27% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
The financial return at National Polytechnic College is weak. You pay a net price near what a full year of many private schools cost, but ten years out the median graduate earns about $30,800 , close to what full-time minimum-wage work pays in California. That gap between what you spend and what you earn is the core problem here.
Every program with earnings data here is a certificate, not a degree, so treat these as short-credential outcomes. The Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science certificate is the only bright spot, with graduates earning around $40,500 , the one path where the price starts to make sense. Registered Nursing and the allied health diagnostic certificates land near $28,000, below the school's own median. Medical Assisting sits at roughly $20,000, which barely clears a full-time hourly wage and does not justify this net price.
The specific risk is the cost structure. Net price does not drop meaningfully for lower-income families , if your family earns under $30,000, you still pay about $28,000, and families earning $30-48k actually pay more than the highest earners. That flat pricing means the burden falls hardest on you if you have the least. The upside is low median debt of about $16,000, so you are not leaving deeply underwater, and the 72.7% graduation rate means you will likely finish.
This school fits you if you target the medical laboratory certificate and can secure grant aid to cut the sticker price. Skip it if you are eyeing medical assisting or general allied health , those earnings do not support the cost. If your family income is low and the net price won't move, price out a community college nursing or lab program before committing here.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is National Polytechnic College worth the cost?
National Polytechnic College has poor financial returns, with graduates earning just $30,781 ten years after enrollment while paying $31,626 annually. Only students in clinical lab science programs see decent earnings at $40,467, making this school a risky investment for most majors.
What is the job market like for National Polytechnic College graduates?
Graduates struggle in the job market, earning less than the annual tuition cost even a decade later. The 72.7% graduation rate is decent, but low post-graduation earnings suggest limited career advancement opportunities for most programs.
How much debt do National Polytechnic College students graduate with?
Students graduate with a median debt of $16,098, which is relatively manageable compared to the school's high annual costs. However, the low earning potential makes even this modest debt burden concerning for repayment.
Which National Polytechnic College programs have the best ROI?
Clinical and medical laboratory science offers the only strong ROI at $40,467 in earnings. Nursing programs pay $28,598 while medical assisting services pay just $20,140, both well below the annual tuition cost.