At $659/yr net price, Oxnard College graduates earn $41,393/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $7,393/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $659 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $2,636 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $41,393/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$7,393/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 0.4 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 32.6% |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $1,314/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $58/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $44/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $695/yr |
| $110,001+ | $8,880/yr |
The Risk Factor
32.6% of students at Oxnard 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
Oxnard College costs you almost nothing to attend, and that reframes the entire ROI question. At $659 a year on average, your out-of-pocket risk is minimal even if you never finish, which matters because only about a third of students graduate. This is a low-cost, low-completion school, so the financial danger here is not debt but wasted time.
Median earnings ten years out sit near $41,000, which for coastal Ventura County covers rent thin and not much else. That figure reflects a two-year school where many students leave before earning a credential, so it undersells what you can get by actually finishing and transferring. Oxnard works best as a cheap first two years before a four-year degree, not as an endpoint.
The net price tiers reward middle and lower-middle incomes most. If your family earns between $30,000 and $75,000, you pay under $60 a year, essentially free. Under $30,000 you pay more, around $1,300, because grant aid does not fully cover living costs. Over $110,000, your price jumps to nearly $9,000 a year, so the deal weakens sharply for higher-income families paying closer to full freight.
This school fits you if you want to cut costs before transferring, live near Oxnard, or need to test college without financial exposure. The main risk is the 33% graduation rate: your time and momentum are what you stand to lose. If you enroll, treat transfer as the goal from day one, because stopping at the associate level leaves you near that $41,000 median. Higher earners paying the top tier should compare against direct four-year admission before committing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Oxnard College worth the cost?
Oxnard College offers strong value with a net price of just $659 per year and graduates earning $41,393 annually after 10 years. The main concern is the 33% graduation rate, which means many students don't finish their programs.
What is the ROI for Oxnard College graduates?
With extremely low costs and decent post-graduation earnings around $41,000, Oxnard College provides solid return on investment for students who complete their programs. The financial risk is minimal due to the low tuition.
How much debt do Oxnard College students typically have?
Students at Oxnard College face very little debt risk with a net price of only $659 annually. Most students can avoid significant borrowing, making this one of the most affordable higher education options in California.
Which programs at Oxnard College have the best job prospects?
As a community college, Oxnard College focuses on career training and transfer preparation rather than specific high-earning majors. The low cost makes almost any completed program financially viable compared to four-year alternatives.