At $13,478/yr net price, Paradise Valley Community College graduates earn $47,196/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $13,196/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $13,478 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $53,912 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $47,196/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$13,196/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 4.1 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 19.8% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $6,995 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $11,872/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $12,999/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $15,708/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $17,710/yr |
| $110,001+ | $19,032/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 | $65,517 | $6,781 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Certificate | $32,925 | |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Associate | $31,848 |
The Risk Factor
19.8% of students at Paradise Valley 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
Paradise Valley Community College gives you a low-debt, low-completion financial picture. You borrow a median of $6,995 to attend, one of the smaller debt loads you will find, and ten years out the median earnings sit at $47,196. The math works only if you finish, and that is the problem: fewer than one in five students graduate, and only about 64% come back for a second year.
No bachelor-level program earnings are listed here, so treat the $47,196 as a school-wide number tied to a mix of transfer paths and associate credentials. In Phoenix, that figure clears the local cost of living but leaves little room. Against the $6,995 you borrow, the return is fine per dollar of debt. Against the odds of walking away with nothing, the return gets shaky.
The specific risk here is dropping out. You keep the debt whether or not you finish, and with an 80% non-completion rate, the most likely outcome is that you leave without the credential the earnings number assumes. The low debt cushions that blow, but it does not erase it.
Net price climbs steeply with income. Under $30k, you pay about $11,872. over $110k, you pay $19,032 , roughly $7,000 more for the same seats. If your family earns under $48k, this is an affordable place to start, especially if you plan to transfer to a four-year school. If you earn over $75k, the price advantage shrinks and you should compare it against Arizona's public universities directly.
This is a good fit if you are cost-sensitive, self-directed, and likely to finish or transfer quickly. If you need structure to stay enrolled, the retention numbers say look elsewhere.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Paradise Valley Community College worth the money?
Paradise Valley Community College offers decent value for students who complete programs, with a net price of $13,478 annually and median debt of just $6,995. However, the 19.8% graduation rate means most students don't finish, which significantly reduces the return on investment.
What are the highest paying programs at Paradise Valley Community College?
Nursing programs at Paradise Valley Community College provide the strongest ROI, with registered nursing graduates earning around $65,517 annually. Allied health programs pay moderately well at $32,925, but most other programs offer limited earning potential.
How much debt do Paradise Valley Community College students graduate with?
Paradise Valley Community College students graduate with relatively low debt at $6,995 median. The bigger financial risk comes from the low graduation rate, as students who don't complete programs still face costs without earning credentials.
Do Paradise Valley Community College graduates earn good salaries?
Paradise Valley Community College graduates earn $47,196 ten years after enrollment, which is reasonable for a community college. Earnings vary dramatically by program, with nursing students doing well but other fields offering limited income growth.