At $6,017/yr net price, Roane State Community College graduates earn $39,407/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $5,407/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $6,017 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $24,068 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $39,407/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$5,407/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 4.5 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 32.1% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $8,454 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $4,781/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $6,047/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $7,994/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $9,455/yr |
| $110,001+ | $9,194/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 | $47,846 | $11,685 |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions. | Associate | $47,260 | |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Associate | $43,240 | $10,900 |
| Electromechanical Instrumentation and Maintenance Technologies/Technicians. | Certificate | $42,424 | |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Certificate | $41,193 | $5,312 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Associate | $39,489 | $9,548 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | Associate | $35,416 | |
| Ophthalmic and Optometric Support Services and Allied Professions. | Associate | $30,771 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Associate | $24,615 | $7,750 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Associate | $21,448 | $8,000 |
The Risk Factor
32.1% of students at Roane State 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
Roane State Community College gives you a low-cost entry into healthcare jobs, and the debt numbers back that up. You borrow a median of $8,454 and pay about $6,017 a year, so the financial exposure here is small. The problem is the exit: only about a third of students finish, which is the biggest risk you take by enrolling.
The payoff is concentrated in health fields. The associate nursing program leads at $47,846, with dental support and allied health services close behind in the $43,000-$47,000 range. These are the degrees worth coming here for. The electromechanical instrumentation certificate holds its own at $42,424, so the technical path is real too. Notice the median earnings across all graduates sits around $39,407, well below those top programs. That gap tells you the general and transfer-track students pull the average down, and if you pick a non-health major here, your outcome likely looks more like that $39,407 figure than the nursing one.
Watch the debt-to-earnings math by program. Nursing carries the highest debt at $11,685 but also the highest pay, so it clears. The allied health diagnostic certificate is the standout on cost: $5,312 in debt against $41,193 in earnings.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families. If your household earns under $30,000, you pay $4,781. families over $110,000 pay closer to $9,200. The jump happens above $48,000, where your price nearly doubles from the bottom tier.
This school fits you if you want a nursing, dental, or allied health credential and plan to finish. It fits you less if you are undecided or plan to transfer, since the low sticker price only pays off if you actually complete a program that leads somewhere.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Roane State Community College worth the money?
Roane State offers solid value with a low net price of $6,017 per year and median debt under $8,500. However, the 32% graduation rate means many students don't finish, which hurts the return on investment.
What are the best paying programs at Roane State Community College?
Nursing programs lead earnings at nearly $48,000 annually, followed by dental support services at $47,260. These healthcare programs significantly outperform the school's overall graduate earnings of $39,407.
How much debt do Roane State Community College graduates have?
Graduates typically leave with $8,454 in debt, which is manageable compared to four-year schools. The low debt load helps offset the relatively modest post-graduation earnings.
Do Roane State Community College graduates make good money?
Overall graduate earnings average $39,407 after 10 years, which is below the national average for college graduates. Students in healthcare programs earn significantly more, while other fields may struggle to justify the investment.