At $9,774/yr net price, River Parishes Community College graduates earn $37,848/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $3,848/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $9,774 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $39,096 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $37,848/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$3,848/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 10.2 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 31.1% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $12,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $8,521/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $8,761/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $10,355/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $13,988/yr |
| $110,001+ | $13,935/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians. | Associate | $73,321 | $9,500 |
| Electromechanical Instrumentation and Maintenance Technologies/Technicians. | Associate | $53,358 | |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants. | Certificate | $38,289 | $13,228 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Associate | $24,562 |
The Risk Factor
31.1% of students at River Parishes 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
River Parishes Community College gives you a mixed financial picture that swings hard on your major. The typical graduate earns just under $38,000 ten years out, but that median hides a wide gap between the technical programs that pay and the general-studies track that doesn't.
The industrial production associate degree is the clear winner here. It pays nearly triple what the liberal arts associate does, and you take on under $10,000 in debt to get it. That fits the regional job market: Gonzales sits in the heart of Louisiana's petrochemical and industrial corridor, and this program feeds directly into plant maintenance and production jobs. The electromechanical instrumentation associate is the second strong bet, tied to the same industrial employers.
Practical nursing is the middle option. It earns more than liberal arts but comes with the highest debt of any program listed, so weigh the certificate cost against a solid but not high salary.
The liberal arts associate is the risk you should avoid treating as an endpoint. At its earnings level, it barely clears what you could make without the degree. Use it only as a transfer step toward a four-year school, not as your final credential.
The bigger risk is finishing at all. Fewer than a third of students graduate, so if you don't complete, you carry the cost with none of the earnings payoff.
On price, families earning under $48,000 pay the least, around $8,500 a year. Once your income passes $75,000, your net price jumps to roughly $14,000, so the discount for lower earners is real and steep.
This school is a good fit if you enroll in industrial or electromechanical technology and plan to finish. Look elsewhere if you want a general associate degree with no transfer plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is River Parishes Community College worth the cost?
River Parishes Community College can be worth it if you choose the right program. Industrial production and electromechanical programs offer strong earnings potential at $73,321 and $53,358 respectively, while liberal arts graduates earn just $24,562 annually.
What are the best paying programs at River Parishes Community College?
Industrial Production Technologies leads with $73,321 average earnings, followed by Electromechanical Instrumentation at $53,358. These technical programs significantly outperform the general studies track, which averages $24,562.
How much debt do River Parishes Community College graduates have?
Graduates typically leave with $12,000 in debt, which is manageable for technical program graduates but represents a poor return for liberal arts students earning $24,562 annually.
What is the graduation rate at River Parishes Community College?
Only 31% of students graduate from River Parishes Community College. This low completion rate means many students end up with debt but no degree to show for it.