At $8,812/yr net price, Northeast Community College graduates earn $42,634/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $8,634/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $8,812 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $35,248 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $42,634/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$8,634/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 4.1 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 55.8% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $11,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $5,979/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $6,219/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $8,368/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $12,060/yr |
| $110,001+ | $12,700/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electromechanical Instrumentation and Maintenance Technologies/Technicians. | Associate | $56,415 | |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Associate | $52,524 | $13,000 |
| Energy Systems Technologies/Technicians. | Associate | $52,107 | |
| Electrical and Power Transmission Installers. | Associate | $52,107 | $12,000 |
| Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians. | Associate | $42,682 | |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies. | Associate | $39,489 | $11,739 |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR). | Associate | $38,829 | |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Associate | $38,597 | $12,000 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Associate | $38,337 | $10,950 |
| Agricultural Business and Management. | Associate | $37,208 | $9,500 |
The Risk Factor
55.8% of students at Northeast Community College graduate within 6 years. More than half of students finish, but the dropout rate is a real factor in whether this investment pays off.
Analysis
Northeast Community College gives you a solid financial return for a two-year school, mostly because its strongest programs feed directly into skilled trades and healthcare jobs across northeast Nebraska. You leave with low debt and a real shot at earnings that clear the school's median inside a decade.
The payoff concentrates in the technical and health programs. Electromechanical instrumentation and maintenance leads the pack, pushing graduates past $56,000, and it does so without the debt load that nursing carries. Registered nursing, electrical and power transmission, and energy systems all land in the low $50,000s, which is where the value lives at this school. Drafting and design sits at the bottom of the top list, roughly $14,000 a year behind the instrumentation program while costing you similar tuition. If you enroll here, the difference between choosing an energy or maintenance track versus a design track is real money for the same two years.
The main financial risk is completion. Just over half of students finish, so if you drop out you carry the cost and lose the credential that makes these salaries possible. The debt numbers only stay small if you graduate.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families. Under $30,000 in family income, you pay under $6,000 a year. above $110,000, you pay closer to $12,700. That gap means the school is a strong fit if your family earns under $48,000 and you target a trades or nursing program. If you plan to transfer into a bachelor's field with no clear technical path here, the return is weaker and you should compare four-year options first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Northeast Community College worth the cost?
Northeast Community College offers decent value with a low net price of $8,812 per year and median debt of only $11,000. However, the 10-year median earnings of $42,634 are modest, making this worthwhile mainly if you choose high-paying programs like nursing or electrical technology.
What are the best paying programs at Northeast Community College?
Electromechanical instrumentation leads at $56,415, followed by nursing at $52,524 and electrical power transmission at $52,107. These technical programs significantly outperform the school's overall median earnings of $42,634.
How much debt do Northeast Community College graduates have?
The median debt is $11,000, which is relatively low for college graduates. With the school's affordable $8,812 annual net price, most students can avoid heavy borrowing.
What is Northeast Community College's graduation rate?
The graduation rate is 55.8%, meaning nearly half of students don't complete their programs. This completion rate is typical for community colleges but represents a significant risk for students who may accumulate debt without earning a credential.