At $10,543/yr net price, Palo Verde College graduates earn $36,389/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $2,389/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $10,543 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $42,172 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $36,389/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$2,389/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 17.7 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 14.3% |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $10,487/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $9,070/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $11,606/yr |
The Risk Factor
14.3% of students at Palo Verde 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
Palo Verde College carries a weak financial return. You pay $10,543 a year, and a decade after enrolling the median earnings sit at $36,389 , barely above what a full-time job at low wages produces without any tuition spent. A 14.3% graduation rate is the biggest problem here. Most people who start do not finish, and a credit-hour bill with no credential attached is money you do not get back.
No bachelor-level program earnings are listed for this school, so there is no data showing which majors pay off and which don't. Treat any program-level promise with caution until you see actual outcome numbers for it.
The specific risk at Palo Verde is completion. In a small desert town like Blythe, the local job market is thin, and leaving without a degree or transferable credits leaves you with debt and no wage bump to service it. Budget for the real possibility that you become one of the roughly 86 out of 100 who do not graduate on time, and plan how you would recover from that.
The net price tiers barely move with income. If your family earns under $30k, you pay about $10,487. the $30-48k band drops to $9,070, but the $48-75k band actually pays more at $11,606. Aid here does not scale down steeply for low-income families the way it does at many schools, so a lower income does not buy you much of a discount.
This works as a low-stakes local option if you live near Blythe, can attend cheaply, and have a concrete transfer plan you will finish. If you need a degree to earn back your cost, look at schools with higher graduation rates and published earnings data before committing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Palo Verde College worth the cost?
Palo Verde College has a very low graduation rate at 14% and graduates earn around $36,389 ten years later. While the annual cost is relatively low at $10,543, the poor completion rates make it a risky investment for most students.
What is the return on investment for Palo Verde College graduates?
With graduates earning $36,389 annually after ten years and an extremely low 14% graduation rate, the ROI is poor. Most students who enroll don't graduate, making the investment unlikely to pay off.
How much debt do Palo Verde College students typically have?
At $10,543 per year, Palo Verde College is relatively affordable compared to four-year schools. However, the 14% graduation rate means most students may accumulate debt without completing their program.
Which programs at Palo Verde College have the best job prospects?
Specific program outcome data varies, but given the overall low graduation rate and modest earnings of $36,389 for graduates, students should carefully research job placement rates for their intended field before enrolling.