At $25,596/yr net price, Riverside College of Health Careers graduates earn $66,072/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $32,072/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $25,596 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $102,384 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $66,072/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$32,072/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 3.2 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 62.5% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $14,787 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $25,596/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. | Certificate | $56,867 | |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Associate | $46,087 | $18,369 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Associate | $40,728 | $16,806 |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants. | Certificate | $34,381 | $9,500 |
The Risk Factor
62.5% of students at Riverside College of Health Careers graduate within 6 years. A significant share of students finish, but roughly 38% do not complete their degree.
Analysis
Riverside College of Health Careers gives you a solid financial return if you finish. Graduates earn a median of $66,072 ten years out, and median debt sits at just $14,787. That debt-to-earnings gap is the number that matters here: you can pay off what you borrow in well under a year of post-graduation salary. For a private nonprofit, that's a rare position.
The $25,596 net price is steep for a single year, though. Multiply that across the time it takes to graduate and the sticker cost climbs fast, so the low median debt tells you most of you are covering a big share out of pocket or through outside aid, not loans. That only works if the health-career training lands you in the regional Newport News-area medical job market it's built for, which the earnings figure suggests it does.
The biggest risk is the 62.5% graduation rate. Roughly one in three of you leaves without finishing, and if you pay that net price and walk away without the credential, you get the cost without the earnings payoff. The debt looks manageable only because completers dominate the good outcomes.
On net price, the income tiers offer no relief. You pay the same $25,596 whether your family earns under $30,000 or well above it. If you come from a low-income household, that flat price is a heavy lift, and nearly half of you receive Pell Grants, which signals a real share of you are in that bracket.
This school fits you if you're committed to a health credential and confident you'll finish. Look elsewhere if you're unsure about the field or need a lower net price scaled to your family's income, because this school won't discount for it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Riverside College of Health Careers worth the cost?
With a net price of $25,596 per year and median earnings of $66,072 after 10 years, graduates typically earn enough to justify the cost. However, the 62.5% graduation rate means over a third of students don't complete their programs.
Which programs at Riverside College of Health Careers have the best ROI?
Registered Nursing programs offer the strongest return with graduates earning around $56,867. Allied Health programs pay significantly less at $40,728-$46,087, while Practical Nursing graduates earn only $34,381.
How much debt do Riverside College of Health Careers graduates have?
The median debt is $14,787, which is manageable compared to the annual net price of $25,596. Most nursing graduates can handle this debt load given their earning potential.
What are the risks of attending Riverside College of Health Careers?
The school accepts all applicants but only graduates 62.5% of students, creating a real risk of debt without a degree. Lower-paying programs like Practical Nursing may struggle to justify even the relatively modest costs.