At $2,845/yr net price, Norco College graduates earn $51,206/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $17,206/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $2,845 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $11,380 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $51,206/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$17,206/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 0.7 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 32.6% |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $1,788/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $1,640/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $5,838/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $7,356/yr |
| $110,001+ | $10,501/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Biological and Physical Sciences. | Associate | $20,140 | |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Associate | $19,113 |
The Risk Factor
32.6% of students at Norco 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
Norco College costs you $2,845 a year on average, and your median earnings ten years out land at $51,206. For a two-year public college, that gap between what you pay and what you eventually earn is the strongest argument in its favor. You spend little to get in the door, and the payoff clears the bar for what community college is supposed to do.
The program earnings data tells a different story. The two associate degrees listed here, Biological and Physical Sciences and Liberal Arts and Sciences, report roughly $19,000 to $20,000 a year. Those are transfer-track degrees. They are not meant to be your endpoint, and the numbers show it: neither pays a living wage on its own. If you stop at either associate degree and walk into the job market, you will earn far below the $51,206 median that shows up for graduates overall. That median almost certainly reflects people who transferred to a four-year school. Plan on transferring, or these programs do not pay off.
The financial risk here is the 32.6% graduation rate. Two out of three students do not finish. Cheap tuition means nothing if you leave with credits and no credential, and the low completion rate is the biggest threat to your return.
Net price barely moves for families under $48k, sitting under $1,800. Above $48k it jumps: you pay around $5,800 in the $48-75k band and over $10,000 above $110k. Even the top tier stays affordable compared to a four-year school.
Norco fits you if you are using it as a low-cost step toward a bachelor's degree and you will actually finish and transfer. If you want a terminal degree that pays on its own, the programs listed here will not deliver that.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Norco College worth the cost compared to other schools?
At $2,845 per year net price, Norco College offers one of the most affordable college educations available. However, the 32.6% graduation rate means most students don't finish their programs.
What is the return on investment for Norco College graduates?
Norco College graduates earn about $51,206 ten years after starting college. While the low tuition costs create minimal debt risk, the poor graduation rate significantly limits actual returns for most students who enroll.
Which Norco College programs offer the best career prospects?
Biological and Physical Sciences graduates earn around $20,140, while Liberal Arts graduates make about $19,113. These earnings are well below national averages, reflecting the community college's focus on basic education rather than high-paying career preparation.
How much student debt do Norco College students typically have?
The extremely low net price of $2,845 means most Norco College students graduate with minimal debt. This makes it a low-risk option financially, even though earning potential remains limited.