At $10,666/yr net price, Northampton County Area Community College graduates earn $41,566/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $7,566/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $10,666 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $42,664 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $41,566/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$7,566/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 5.6 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 21.2% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $15,495 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $8,432/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $8,833/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $11,938/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $14,596/yr |
| $110,001+ | $15,777/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 | $61,728 | $19,223 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Associate | $52,107 | $19,253 |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions. | Associate | $45,277 | $16,000 |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies. | Associate | $39,369 | |
| Funeral Service and Mortuary Science. | Associate | $33,993 | |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | Associate | $28,960 | $22,200 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Associate | $28,719 | $15,250 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | Certificate | $26,896 | |
| Hospitality Administration/Management. | Associate | $25,194 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Associate | $24,421 | $17,500 |
The Risk Factor
21.2% of students at Northampton County Area 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
Northampton County Area Community College sits in mixed territory. The typical graduate earns about $41,566 ten years out and leaves with around $15,495 in debt, so the debt load stays manageable against those earnings. The problem is the 21% graduation rate. Four out of five students who start here do not finish, and if you leave without a credential you still owe on the price you paid.
The program spread here is wide. Nursing is the clear winner, with associate graduates earning roughly $61,728, about $20,000 more than the school-wide median. Allied health and dental support also clear the median comfortably. These are the programs that justify the cost. On the low end, funeral service and mortuary science graduates earn under $34,000, below the typical graduate here, and vehicle maintenance lands under $40,000. If you enroll in one of those, the math gets thin.
Every strong-earning program at this school is an associate degree tied to a licensed field. This is a school that pays off when you pick a specific health credential and finish it. It does not pay off if you drift through general coursework and drop out, which is the statistically likely path given the completion numbers.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families. If your family makes under $48,000, you pay around $8,400 to $8,800 a year. Above $110,000, you pay closer to $15,800, nearly double. For a two-year credential, the lower tier keeps total cost near the debt figure graduates carry.
This school fits you if you want to enter nursing or allied health, live in the Lehigh Valley, and will commit to finishing. If you are unsure of your program or prone to stopping out, the low completion rate makes this a financial gamble.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Northampton County Area Community College worth the cost?
For nursing and healthcare programs, yes - nursing graduates earn around $61,728 annually. For most other programs, the ROI is weak with overall graduate earnings of $41,566 compared to a $10,666 annual cost.
What are the best paying programs at Northampton County Area Community College?
Registered nursing leads at $61,728 annually, followed by allied health diagnostics at $52,107 and dental support services at $45,277. Vehicle repair and funeral service programs pay significantly less.
How much debt do Northampton County Area Community College students graduate with?
The median debt is $15,495, which is manageable if you complete a high-paying program like nursing. However, with only a 21% graduation rate, many students leave with debt but no degree.
What is the graduation rate at Northampton County Area Community College?
Only 21% of students graduate, which is extremely low even for a community college. This means most students don't complete their programs and may struggle to see any return on their investment.