At $7,321/yr net price, North Shore Community College graduates earn $45,391/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $11,391/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $7,321 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $29,284 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $45,391/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$11,391/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 2.6 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 17.7% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $9,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $6,087/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $6,251/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $7,184/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $11,476/yr |
| $110,001+ | $12,585/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fire Protection. | Associate | $79,450 | |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Associate | $59,937 | $11,301 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Associate | $59,124 | $16,250 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Certificate | $52,607 | |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants. | Certificate | $49,625 | $7,250 |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Associate | $46,087 | $11,050 |
| Veterinary/Animal Health Technologies/Technicians. | Associate | $36,848 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Associate | $36,726 | |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Certificate | $36,668 | |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Associate | $33,993 |
The Risk Factor
17.7% of students at North Shore 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 Shore Community College keeps your costs low and your debt lower. Median debt sits at $9,000, and the net price runs around $7,321 a year, so you can finish an associate degree without a heavy loan burden. The weak spot is completion: fewer than one in five students graduate, and a degree you don't finish returns nothing on the money and time you put in.
The programs that pay off here are all in health and safety. Fire Protection leads at $79,450, which is unusual for a two-year credential and reflects steady public-sector demand around the North Shore. The associate nursing program pays roughly $60,000 against about $11,300 in debt, a clean return. The allied health associate pays about the same but carries $16,250 in debt, the highest on this list, so weigh that gap before you enroll. Practical nursing and the allied health certificate land near $50,000 with light debt, solid for shorter programs. Outside these fields, the college lists no high-earning options, and the $45,391 school-wide median tells you most other paths pay modestly.
The main financial risk is starting a program and not finishing. At a 17.70% graduation rate, that outcome is common, and it turns a cheap school into wasted tuition. Pick a program with a clear job at the end and commit to completing it.
If your family earns under $48,000, you pay close to $6,100 a year, and the health credentials here can more than cover that. Above $75,000, your net price roughly doubles to $11,000-$12,500, still affordable but a weaker deal for lower-paying majors. This school fits you if you want a nursing, allied health, or fire credential. If you want a general associate degree to transfer, the earnings data here gives you little to count on.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is North Shore Community College worth the money?
At $7,321 per year, North Shore Community College offers decent value if you complete your program, but the 17.7% graduation rate means most students don't finish. Fire protection and nursing programs show strong earning potential, while the general graduate median of $45,391 provides modest returns.
What are the best paying programs at North Shore Community College?
Fire protection leads at $79,450 annually, followed by registered nursing at nearly $60,000. These career-focused programs justify the cost, while general programs may not provide the same return on investment.
How much debt do North Shore Community College graduates have?
The median debt of $9,000 is relatively low for college graduates. However, with the low graduation rate, many students may accumulate debt without completing their programs.
Does North Shore Community College have good job placement rates?
While specific placement data isn't available, the extremely low 17.7% graduation rate suggests most students struggle to complete programs. The healthcare and fire protection programs appear to lead to stable employment for those who finish.