At $13,148/yr net price, Rochester Community and Technical College graduates earn $45,287/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $11,287/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $13,148 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $52,592 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $45,287/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$11,287/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 4.7 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 26.1% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $14,743 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $10,835/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $11,005/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $13,077/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $15,328/yr |
| $110,001+ | $17,781/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 | $60,689 | $18,145 |
| Building/Construction Finishing, Management, and Inspection. | Certificate | $52,107 | |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions. | Associate | $49,918 | $13,000 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Associate | $45,249 | $14,000 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Associate | $44,649 | $12,000 |
| Building/Construction Finishing, Management, and Inspection. | Associate | $44,170 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Associate | $41,565 | $12,875 |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other. | Associate | $38,289 | $15,250 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | Associate | $37,928 | $21,125 |
| Precision Metal Working. | Certificate | $34,704 |
The Risk Factor
26.1% of students at Rochester Community and Technical 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
Rochester Community and Technical College gives you a mixed financial picture that leans on a few strong programs. The median graduate earns about $45,000 after ten years against roughly $15,000 in debt, which is manageable, but the 26% graduation rate is the real risk. Most of your financial return depends on finishing, and most people who start here don't.
Nursing is the clear payoff. An associate degree in registered nursing leads to about $60,700, the highest earnings on this list, and even with the heaviest debt load here it pays for itself quickly. Dental support and allied health diagnostic programs land in the high-$40,000s with lower debt, so they carry less risk than nursing even though they pay less. The building and construction finishing certificate hits $52,000 without an associate degree behind it, which makes it one of the better cost-to-earnings deals on campus. Criminal justice sits at the bottom near $44,600.
The main financial risk is dropping out. If you leave before finishing, you keep the debt and lose the credential that justifies it. RCTC works best if you enroll in nursing, dental, allied health, or the construction certificate and commit to completing it. If you're unsure what you want to study or likely to stop partway, the odds here are against you.
Net price climbs steeply with income. If your family earns under $48,000, you pay around $11,000 a year. Over $110,000, you pay closer to $17,800, a gap of nearly $7,000 annually. Lower-income families get the better deal here in absolute dollars, and for a nursing or dental track that price is easy to recover.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Rochester Community and Technical College worth the cost?
Rochester Community and Technical College offers solid value if you complete a high-paying program like nursing ($60,689 median earnings) or construction management ($52,107). However, the 26% graduation rate means many students don't finish, making debt without a degree a real risk.
What are the best paying programs at Rochester Community and Technical College?
Nursing programs lead with $60,689 median earnings, followed by construction trades at $52,107 and dental services at $49,918. These programs justify the $13,148 annual cost, but other fields like criminal justice ($44,649) offer weaker returns.
How much debt do Rochester Community and Technical College graduates have?
Graduates typically leave with $14,743 in debt, which is manageable for high-earning programs like nursing but problematic for lower-paying fields. The bigger concern is the low 26% graduation rate, meaning many students accumulate debt without completing their programs.
What is the job market like for Rochester Community and Technical College graduates?
Healthcare and skilled trades graduates from Rochester Community and Technical College generally find steady work in the Rochester area, supported by Mayo Clinic and local construction demand. However, graduates in other fields may struggle to reach the $45,287 median earnings given the competitive job market.