At $2,976/yr net price, Saddleback College graduates earn $50,874/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $16,874/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $2,976 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $11,904 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $50,874/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$16,874/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 0.7 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 41.7% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $9,500 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $2,084/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $2,084/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $5,394/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $5,500/yr |
| $110,001+ | $8,394/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 | $70,456 | |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Associate | $20,444 | |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services. | Associate | $9,167 |
The Risk Factor
41.7% of students at Saddleback College graduate within 6 years. More than half of students finish, but the dropout rate is a real factor in whether this investment pays off.
Analysis
Saddleback College gives you a low-cost, low-risk path with a wide range in outcomes. At $2,976 a year in net price and a median debt of $9,500, the downside is small. But median earnings of $50,874 ten years out hide a huge gap between what different programs actually pay.
Nursing is the clear winner here. The associate nursing program leads earnings at $70,456, roughly $20,000 above the school-wide median, and it feeds directly into Orange County's hospital and healthcare market. If you can get into and finish the nursing sequence, the math works strongly in your favor.
The other tracked programs tell a different story. Liberal Arts and General Studies graduates earn $20,444, and Cosmetology graduates earn $9,167. Those numbers make sense if you treat the general studies path as a transfer stepping stone to a four-year school, but as a terminal credential it does not pay off. Cosmetology in particular does not clear even part-time full-year wages, so go in knowing the license, not the earnings, is the point.
The main risk is completion. Only about 42% of students graduate, so the biggest financial danger is paying and enrolling without finishing. Debt is manageable only if you leave with the credential.
On price, if your family earns under $48,000, you pay about $2,084 a year, and the under-$30k and $30-48k tiers pay the same. Cross into the $48-75k range and your cost more than doubles to $5,394, and above $110,000 it hits $8,394.
This is a good fit if you want nursing or plan to transfer to a four-year school cheaply. Look elsewhere if you want cosmetology as a career earner or a terminal liberal arts degree.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Saddleback College worth the money?
At $2,976 per year, Saddleback College offers strong value if you complete a nursing program, which leads to median earnings of $70,456. However, the 41.7% graduation rate means many students don't finish their programs.
What are the best paying programs at Saddleback College?
Nursing programs at Saddleback College provide the best return, with graduates earning around $70,456 annually. Liberal arts graduates earn significantly less at $20,444, while cosmetology graduates average just $9,167.
How much debt do Saddleback College students graduate with?
Saddleback College graduates have a median debt of $9,500, which is manageable for nursing students but may be problematic for liberal arts or cosmetology graduates earning under $21,000.
What is the graduation rate at Saddleback College?
Only 41.7% of students graduate from Saddleback College. This low completion rate increases the risk of taking on debt without earning a degree that improves job prospects.