At $11,690/yr net price, North Country Community College graduates earn $38,276/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $4,276/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $11,690 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $46,760 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $38,276/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$4,276/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 10.9 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 25.4% |
| 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 | $8,541/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $13,201/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $14,391/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $17,221/yr |
| $110,001+ | $17,077/yr |
The Risk Factor
25.4% of students at North Country 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
North Country Community College gives you a modest financial return that leans weak. Ten years out, median earnings sit at $38,276, and with a net price near $11,690 a year, you graduate carrying about $12,000 in debt. That debt load is manageable against those earnings, but the earnings themselves stay low.
The bigger risk here is finishing at all. Only about a quarter of students graduate. If you enroll and drop out, you still owe for the credits you took while missing the credential that makes them pay off. At a two-year college, that low completion rate is the single largest threat to your money.
No bachelor-level program earnings are listed for this school, so treat any specific major's payoff as unproven from this data. As a two-year public college in Saranac Lake, your realistic path is an associate degree or a transfer to a four-year school, where the actual return depends on where you go next.
The net price tiers reward you if your family earns under $30,000, where your yearly cost drops to $8,541. Above that, the numbers climb fast and stay high: families earning $30,000 to $48,000 pay more than $13,000, and everyone above $75,000 pays over $17,000. Middle-income families get no price break here.
This school fits you if you live in the region, qualify for the low-income price tier, and plan to transfer or step straight into local work with a clear credential in hand. Look elsewhere if you need strong standalone earnings from an associate degree or if your family income lands in the middle tiers, where the price runs high for a $38,000 median outcome.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is North Country Community College worth the cost?
North Country Community College has a very low return on investment with graduates earning just $38,276 ten years after enrollment, which is below the national average for community colleges. The 25% graduation rate means most students don't finish their programs.
What is the job market like for North Country Community College graduates?
North Country Community College graduates face limited earning potential in the rural Adirondack region where many jobs are seasonal or low-wage. The median salary of $38,276 reflects the area's tourism and service-based economy.
How much debt do North Country Community College students typically have?
North Country Community College students graduate with relatively low debt at $12,000 median, which is manageable compared to four-year schools. However, the low earnings potential means even this modest debt can be challenging to repay.
Which programs at North Country Community College have the best job prospects?
North Country Community College's nursing and forestry programs typically offer better job prospects than general studies. These career-focused programs align with regional healthcare and natural resource industries that provide more stable employment.