At $4,026/yr net price, Riverside City College graduates earn $41,091/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $7,091/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $4,026 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $16,104 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $41,091/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$7,091/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 2.3 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 32.0% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $8,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $2,741/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $3,662/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $5,851/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $8,049/yr |
| $110,001+ | $9,848/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 | $75,204 | $10,000 |
| Biological and Physical Sciences. | Associate | $32,925 | $8,500 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Associate | $21,117 | $8,000 |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services. | Associate | $17,310 | |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services. | Certificate | $10,617 |
The Risk Factor
32.0% of students at Riverside City 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
Riverside City College keeps your costs low and your debt lower. At about $4,000 a year with median debt of $8,000, you are not gambling much money to attend. That matters, because the payoff here depends almost entirely on which program you pick.
Nursing is the reason to come. The associate nursing track pulls earnings that more than triple what the general liberal arts and sciences path returns, and it does so while carrying only $2,000 more in typical debt. If you finish the nursing program, the math works cleanly: modest cost, strong California healthcare demand, and a wage that clears the school's overall median by a wide margin.
Outside nursing, the picture gets weak. Biological and physical sciences at the associate level lands around $33,000, and liberal arts and general studies sits near $21,000. Cosmetology, whether you take the associate or the certificate, pays the least of anything listed. These are transfer-oriented or entry-level outcomes, so treating an associate degree in general studies as your endpoint leaves you close to the school's low overall median.
The real risk here is finishing at all. Only about a third of students graduate. Low tuition protects you from crushing debt, but not from spending time and money and leaving without a credential that lifts your pay.
The net price tiers stay affordable across incomes. If your family earns under $30,000, you pay well under half what a family over $110,000 pays, and even the top tier stays under $10,000 a year. Come here if you want a cheap, low-risk path into nursing or a transfer plan you will actually complete. If you want a terminal associate degree in general studies or cosmetology to carry your career, look at the earnings first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Riverside City College worth the cost?
At $4,026 per year with median debt of only $8,000, Riverside City College offers strong value for students who complete their programs. The nursing programs justify the cost with average earnings of $75,204, while other fields like cosmetology show lower returns at $17,310.
What is the return on investment for Riverside City College?
ROI varies dramatically by program at Riverside City College. Nursing graduates earn $75,204 annually, making it a solid investment, but liberal arts graduates average just $21,117 ten years after enrollment.
Does Riverside City College have good job placement rates?
With only a 32% graduation rate, many students at Riverside City College don't complete their programs. Those who do graduate and enter nursing or healthcare fields typically find steady employment, but completion is a major hurdle.
How much debt do Riverside City College students graduate with?
Riverside City College students graduate with relatively low debt at a median of $8,000. The low cost makes it accessible, though the 32% graduation rate means many students may not finish their programs.