At $12,370/yr net price, Normandale Community College graduates earn $50,207/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $16,207/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $12,370 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $49,480 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $50,207/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$16,207/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 3.1 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 18.9% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $12,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $10,713/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $11,221/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $12,653/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $14,938/yr |
| $110,001+ | $17,393/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 | $61,020 | $15,372 |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions. | Associate | $48,849 | |
| Marketing. | Associate | $42,682 | |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Associate | $39,909 | |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Associate | $35,420 | |
| Dietetics and Clinical Nutrition Services. | Associate | $34,526 | |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Associate | $32,057 | $12,000 |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Associate | $29,685 | |
| Engineering, General. | Associate | $25,194 |
The Risk Factor
18.9% of students at Normandale 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
Normandale Community College gives you a low-cost path to a mid-market paycheck, but the 18.9% graduation rate is the number that should stop you. Median earnings reach just over $50,000 a decade out, and median debt sits at $12,000, roughly one year of net price. That debt-to-earnings ratio is healthy. The problem is finishing at all.
Nursing is the clear winner here. It pays about $61,000 and is the only program on the list that clears the school-wide median by a wide margin. It carries the highest debt at just over $15,000, but the earnings more than cover it in a state where Twin Cities hospitals and clinics hire steadily. Dental support follows at around $49,000, another healthcare associate degree with real regional demand.
The lower rungs are weaker. Accounting graduates earn about $35,000, and criminal justice sits near $40,000. Those are associate-level outcomes, and they trail nursing by $20,000 or more. If you enroll for one of these and stop at the two-year degree, the return is thin.
The specific risk at Normandale is completion. Fewer than one in five students graduate, so the strong nursing numbers only apply if you get through a competitive clinical program and actually finish. Non-completers still take on debt without the credential.
Net price barely moves across income brackets. Families under $30,000 pay about $10,700. families over $110,000 pay about $17,400. There is no steep sticker price waiting for higher earners, and no dramatic discount for lower-income families either.
This school fits you if you want an affordable, direct route into nursing or dental work near the Twin Cities and you are confident you will finish. If you are unsure about completing or drawn to the accounting and criminal justice tracks, weigh whether the payoff justifies enrolling.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Normandale Community College worth the cost?
Normandale offers decent value with a net price of $12,370 per year and graduates earning $50,207 after 10 years. However, the 18.9% graduation rate means most students don't complete their programs, which significantly impacts overall ROI.
What are the best paying programs at Normandale Community College?
Nursing programs at Normandale provide the strongest returns, with graduates earning around $61,020 annually. Dental support services ($48,849) and marketing ($42,682) also offer solid earning potential compared to the investment.
How much debt do Normandale Community College graduates have?
Normandale graduates typically leave with $12,000 in debt, which is manageable compared to four-year schools. The low debt load helps offset concerns about the school's low graduation rate.
Should I choose Normandale Community College over a four-year university?
Normandale makes financial sense if you're pursuing nursing or dental programs, or using it as an affordable stepping stone to transfer. Avoid it for programs like criminal justice or accounting where earnings don't justify even the modest costs.