At $4,546/yr net price, Northwest Vista College graduates earn $42,490/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $8,490/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $4,546 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $18,184 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $42,490/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$8,490/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 2.1 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 36.8% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $9,400 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $3,110/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $4,802/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $6,119/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $7,582/yr |
| $110,001+ | $10,022/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications. | Associate | $39,369 | |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Associate | $28,236 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Associate | $26,933 | $8,000 |
| Psychology, General. | Associate | $24,730 | |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Associate | $23,745 | $10,000 |
| Health/Medical Preparatory Programs. | Associate | $22,420 | |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Associate | $21,052 | $5,250 |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Certificate | $17,717 |
The Risk Factor
36.8% of students at Northwest Vista 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
Northwest Vista College costs you $4,546 a year, and the median debt at graduation sits under $10,000. That low price is the core of the financial argument here. With median earnings ten years out landing near what a full-time worker earns in San Antonio, this is a low-cost, low-risk starting point, not a direct path to high pay.
Among the programs listed, Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications is the clear leader, with graduates earning about $39,000 a year against a modest debt load. That gap between it and the next tier is wide. Criminal Justice, Business Administration, Psychology, and Liberal Arts all cluster in the low-to-mid $20,000s. Business Administration graduates carry $8,000 in debt for earnings under $27,000, and Liberal Arts graduates take on more debt for less pay. Those are the weakest returns on the list, and Liberal Arts especially makes more sense as a transfer step toward a four-year degree than as an endpoint.
The main risk is completion. Fewer than four in ten students finish, and if you leave with debt and no credential, the low price stops protecting you. Every program here is an associate degree, so none of these numbers tell you what a bachelor's would earn.
If your family earns under $30,000, you pay around $3,110 a year, and this school is one of the cheapest ways to test college or train for a networking job. Above $110,000, your price roughly triples to $10,022, which still keeps total cost low.
This is a good fit if you want the networking track or a cheap transfer runway toward a four-year school. If you plan to stop at an associate degree in Psychology or Liberal Arts and need strong earnings right away, look at the networking or technical programs instead, or plan to transfer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Northwest Vista College worth the cost compared to other schools?
Northwest Vista College offers strong value with a low net price of $4,546 per year and graduates earning $42,490 after 10 years. The low cost and modest debt levels make it a financially smart choice, though the 37% graduation rate means many students don't finish.
What are the best paying programs at Northwest Vista College?
Computer Systems Networking pays the highest at $39,369 annually, followed by Criminal Justice at $28,236. Liberal Arts graduates earn the least at $23,745, making program choice important for your return on investment.
How much debt do Northwest Vista College graduates have?
Graduates leave with a median debt of $9,400, which is manageable compared to most colleges. The low tuition costs help keep borrowing minimal for most students.
Does Northwest Vista College have a good graduation rate?
Only 37% of students graduate, which is below average for community colleges. This low completion rate means many students pay tuition without earning a degree, reducing the overall value proposition.