At $3,123/yr net price, Pima Community College graduates earn $39,810/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $5,810/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) | $39,810/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$5,810/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 2.2 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 21.5% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $7,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $2,256/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $2,605/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $4,578/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $7,383/yr |
| $110,001+ | $8,872/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Certificate | $82,440 | |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Associate | $60,606 | $12,125 |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions. | Associate | $50,231 | $8,731 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Associate | $46,254 | $7,000 |
| Special Education and Teaching. | Certificate | $42,682 | |
| Ground Transportation. | Certificate | $42,682 | |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants. | Certificate | $41,823 | $9,500 |
| Fire Protection. | Associate | $40,605 | |
| Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications. | Associate | $40,402 | $4,900 |
| Education, Other. | Certificate | $39,369 |
The Risk Factor
21.5% of students at Pima 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
Pima Community College keeps costs low, and that's the core of its financial case. At roughly $3,100 a year net price with median debt around $7,000, you can finish an associate degree without borrowing much. The problem is the finish line: only about one in five students graduates. If you're paying to enroll but don't complete a credential, you carry the cost without the earnings bump that makes it worth it.
The programs that pay off here are the health and nursing tracks. The associate degree in registered nursing lands you above $60,000, and dental support and allied health diagnostic programs both clear $46,000. These are the degrees worth targeting, and Tucson's hospital and clinic demand backs them up. The nursing path costs you more in debt (around $12,000) than the campus median, but the earnings justify it.
Ignore the $82,440 business figure at the top of the list. That's a certificate outcome, not an associate degree, and it doesn't reflect what a typical business student here earns. The campus-wide median of about $39,800 ten years out is the more honest number, and it sits below what the nursing and dental grads pull. If you enroll in a general program without a clear career credential, expect returns closer to that median than to the top.
On cost by income: if your family earns under $48,000, you pay around $2,300 to $2,600 a year, which is close to free. Above $110,000, you're near $8,900, still cheap compared to a four-year school. Pima is a good fit if you're targeting a specific health credential or using it as a low-cost transfer route. Look elsewhere if you need structure to actually finish, because the graduation numbers say most people here don't.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pima Community College worth the money?
Pima Community College offers strong value with a low net price of $3,123 per year and median debt of only $7,000. However, the 21.5% graduation rate means most students don't complete their programs, which significantly impacts the return on investment.
What are the highest paying programs at Pima Community College?
Business Administration leads earnings at $82,440 annually, followed by nursing programs at $60,606. These career-focused programs offer solid returns compared to the school's low cost, but success depends on actually graduating.
How much debt do Pima Community College graduates have?
Pima Community College graduates have a median debt of $7,000, which is relatively low for higher education. The manageable debt load makes this school less risky financially than four-year institutions.
Do Pima Community College graduates make good money after graduation?
Graduates earn a median of $39,810 ten years after enrollment, which is modest but reasonable given the low cost of attendance. The earnings vary significantly by program, with business and healthcare fields paying much better than the overall average.