At $9,356/yr net price, Red Rocks Community College graduates earn $46,288/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $12,288/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $9,356 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $37,424 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $46,288/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$12,288/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 3 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 37.4% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $9,500 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $7,312/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $8,490/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $10,079/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $13,719/yr |
| $110,001+ | $18,048/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Certificate | $88,637 | $9,500 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Associate | $60,623 | |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Certificate | $54,361 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Associate | $50,231 | |
| Electrical and Power Transmission Installers. | Associate | $49,683 | |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Associate | $49,621 | $13,600 |
| Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians. | Associate | $45,696 | |
| Building/Construction Finishing, Management, and Inspection. | Associate | $41,565 | |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | Associate | $37,856 | |
| Fire Protection. | Associate | $30,554 |
The Risk Factor
37.4% of students at Red Rocks 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
Red Rocks Community College gives you a low-cost, low-debt entry point with a modest payoff. Median debt sits at $9,500, roughly one year of net price, and ten-year median earnings of $46,288 clear that debt several times over. The financial risk here is not debt load. It's finishing: only 37% of students graduate, so the danger is paying for credits you never turn into a credential.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families and punish higher earners. If your family makes under $30k, you pay $7,312 a year. over $110k, you pay $18,048 for the same seats. That top tier more than doubles the bottom, so a wealthier family carries most of the sticker cost with no earnings guarantee to match. For families under $48k, the price stays close to community-college norms and the debt math works in your favor.
No program-level earnings data is listed here, so treat the $46,288 median as a blended figure across every path, not a promise for any single field. Career and technical programs at a school like this typically drive the higher end and transfer-track associate degrees the lower end, but the data provided doesn't break that out, so pick your program based on your own research, not this number.
This school fits you if you want cheap credits to launch a trade, earn a transferable associate degree, or test college before committing to a four-year price tag. It fits poorly if you're likely to drift, since the low graduation rate means the biggest financial mistake here is enrolling without a clear finish line. Come in with a specific credential or transfer plan, keep your borrowing near that $9,500 median, and the return holds up.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Red Rocks Community College worth the money?
Red Rocks Community College offers solid value with a net price of $9,356 annually and median debt of just $9,500. However, the 37% graduation rate means many students don't finish their programs, which significantly impacts ROI.
What are the highest paying programs at Red Rocks Community College?
Allied Health programs at Red Rocks Community College lead earnings at $88,637 annually, followed by Criminal Justice at around $55,000-$60,000. These programs justify the cost better than most other offerings at the school.
How much debt do Red Rocks Community College graduates have?
Red Rocks Community College graduates carry a median debt of $9,500, which is manageable compared to four-year schools. The low debt load helps offset the relatively modest post-graduation earnings of $46,288.
Does Red Rocks Community College have a good graduation rate?
Red Rocks Community College has a 37% graduation rate, meaning nearly two-thirds of students don't complete their programs. This low completion rate is a major risk factor when considering the school's overall value.