At $5,393/yr net price, Richland Community College graduates earn $38,793/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $4,793/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $5,393 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $21,572 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $38,793/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$4,793/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 4.5 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 46.5% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $8,256 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $4,388/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $4,270/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $5,644/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $8,831/yr |
| $110,001+ | $9,385/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 | $56,234 | $9,730 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Associate | $43,957 | |
| Biological and Physical Sciences. | Associate | $29,250 | |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Associate | $22,534 | $7,565 |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies. | Associate | $20,373 |
The Risk Factor
46.5% of students at Richland Community 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
Richland Community College keeps costs low and debt lower, which makes the financial math work for a specific kind of student. You borrow a median of $8,256 and pay roughly $5,000 a year in net price. That's a small bet compared to a four-year school, and it caps your downside if things don't pan out.
The return depends almost entirely on your program. Nursing is the clear winner here: an associate degree in registered nursing pushes earnings past $56,000, more than double what you'd make coming out of the vehicle maintenance or general liberal arts tracks. Allied health also lands solidly in the mid-$40,000s. If you enroll for one of these clinical credentials, Richland pays off quickly given how little you put in.
The weak spots are just as clear. Liberal arts and general studies graduates earn in the low $20,000s, and vehicle maintenance sits at the bottom around $20,000. At those wages, even modest debt takes years to clear, and the associate degree alone won't move you far in Decatur's job market. Treat those tracks as transfer stepping stones, not endpoints.
The school-wide median earnings of under $39,000 reflect that mix, so don't read it as a guarantee. Your outcome swings hard on which program you finish. The 46.5% graduation rate is the real risk: fewer than half of students complete, and a half-finished associate degree gives you the cost with none of the payoff.
On price, families earning under $48,000 pay the least, around $4,300 a year, while households over $110,000 pay closer to $9,400. Even at the top tier, the yearly cost stays low for two-year enrollment.
Richland fits you if you want a nursing or allied health credential, or a cheap transfer path. Look elsewhere if you expect a terminal liberal arts or trade associate degree to carry your earnings on its own.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Richland Community College worth the cost?
Richland Community College offers solid value with a low net price of $5,393 per year and manageable debt averaging $8,256. However, the 46.5% graduation rate means many students don't finish, and overall earnings of $38,793 after 10 years are modest.
What programs at Richland Community College have the best ROI?
Nursing programs at Richland Community College provide the strongest returns, with graduates earning $56,234 annually. Allied health programs also pay well at $43,957, while liberal arts and automotive programs lead to lower earnings around $20,000-22,000.
How much debt do Richland Community College graduates have?
Richland Community College graduates have relatively low debt with a median of $8,256. The low cost and community college structure help keep borrowing minimal compared to four-year schools.
What are the graduation rates at Richland Community College?
Only 46.5% of students graduate from Richland Community College, which is typical for community colleges but means over half of students don't complete their programs. This affects the overall value proposition despite low costs.