At $16,658/yr net price, San Jose City College graduates earn $46,215/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $12,215/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $16,658 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $66,632 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $46,215/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$12,215/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 5.5 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 32.1% |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $15,935/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $16,583/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $17,832/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $22,545/yr |
| $110,001+ | $22,403/yr |
The Risk Factor
32.1% of students at San Jose 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
San Jose City College gives you a mixed financial picture that leans risky. A net price near $16,700 a year is steep for a community college, and only about a third of students finish. If you leave without a credential, you have paid two-year prices for no degree, and that is the biggest financial risk here.
The median earnings figure of roughly $46,000 ten years out sits above what many two-year graduates earn, which reflects the Silicon Valley job market around you. That regional wage floor works in your favor if you finish and stay local. But high area wages come with high area costs, so the earnings number stretches less than it would elsewhere.
No bachelor-level program salary data is listed for this school, so treat any single major as a bet rather than a guarantee. Use this campus as a transfer path or a route into a specific technical field tied to local employers, and confirm the program transfers or leads to a real job before you enroll.
The net price tiers hold a warning. If your family earns under $48,000, you pay around $16,000 to $16,600, and there is almost no discount for being lower income. Families over $75,000 pay more than $22,000, but low-income families are not getting the deep aid you would expect. Budget for the full listed price and do not assume grants will close the gap.
This school fits you if you have a clear transfer plan or a targeted vocational goal and you will finish quickly. If you are unsure of your major or prone to stalling out, the low graduation rate and high net price make this an expensive place to figure it out. Look at cheaper community colleges first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is San Jose City College worth the cost?
San Jose City College offers reasonable value at $16,658 per year, with graduates earning $46,215 after 10 years. However, the 32% graduation rate means many students don't complete their programs, which significantly reduces ROI for those who drop out.
What is the return on investment for San Jose City College?
Graduates see modest returns with median earnings of $46,215 ten years after enrollment. The low graduation rate of 32% means your investment only pays off if you actually finish your program.
Do San Jose City College graduates get good jobs?
Graduate earnings of $46,215 are decent for a community college, especially given San Jose's high cost of living. Career-focused programs in healthcare and skilled trades typically show better job placement rates than general studies.
Should I worry about debt at San Jose City College?
At $16,658 annually, debt risk is relatively low compared to four-year schools. The bigger financial risk is not graduating, which happens to about 68% of students who don't complete their programs.