At $3,123/yr net price, Pasadena City College graduates earn $43,937/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $9,937/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $3,123 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $12,492 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $43,937/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$9,937/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 1.3 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 41.1% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $6,651 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $2,205/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $2,702/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $5,613/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $8,070/yr |
| $110,001+ | $10,004/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 | $68,079 | |
| Communication and Media Studies. | Associate | $26,353 | |
| Psychology, General. | Associate | $14,935 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Associate | $12,221 |
The Risk Factor
41.1% of students at Pasadena City 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
Pasadena City College gives you a low-cost, low-debt path with a median payoff that lands in the middle. You borrow around $6,651 by graduation and pay $3,123 a year, so the financial downside here is small. Median earnings ten years out sit near $44,000, which is solid for a two-year public school but not a ticket to high income on its own.
The program that pays off clearly is Registered Nursing. At roughly $68,000, it earns more than double what the next-listed program returns and stands alone as the reason to enroll if earnings are your goal. Communication and Media Studies, Psychology, and Business Administration all report earnings well under $30,000, with Psychology and Business below $15,000. Those numbers are weak, and you should treat them as transfer steps toward a four-year degree, not endpoints.
The main financial risk is the 41% graduation rate. Nearly six in ten enrolled here don't finish on time, and the low cost only pays off if you complete a credential or transfer. Paying $3,123 a year while stalling out is how you spend money without the earnings to show for it.
Net price barely moves for lower-income families. Under $30k, you pay $2,205. at $30-48k, $2,702. Above $75k, cost more than triples toward $10,004, so higher-earning families cover most of the bill themselves. Even at the top tier, this stays cheap compared to most colleges.
This school fits you if you want nursing, or if you plan to transfer and use the low price to avoid debt during your first two years. Look elsewhere if you want to stop at an associate degree in psychology, communication, or business and expect those earnings to support you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pasadena City College worth the cost compared to other schools?
At $3,123 per year, Pasadena City College offers one of the lowest net prices in California. However, the 41% graduation rate means many students don't finish their programs, which reduces the value proposition significantly.
What are the best paying programs at Pasadena City College?
Nursing programs at Pasadena City College lead to median earnings of $68,079, making them the clear financial winners. Other programs like communication studies ($26,353) and psychology ($14,935) offer much lower returns on investment.
How much debt do Pasadena City College graduates typically have?
Graduates leave Pasadena City College with a median debt of $6,651, which is relatively low for higher education. The bigger risk is not graduating at all, given the school's 41% completion rate.
Are Pasadena City College graduates earning enough to justify the education?
Graduates earn a median of $43,937 ten years after enrollment, which is reasonable given the low cost. The return depends heavily on your program choice, with nursing offering strong prospects while general studies programs show weaker earning potential.