At $6,742/yr net price, Seward County Community College graduates earn $41,445/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $7,445/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $6,742 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $26,968 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $41,445/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$7,445/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 3.6 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 46.4% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $6,500 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $6,742/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 | $52,107 |
The Risk Factor
46.4% of students at Seward County Community 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
Seward County Community College gives you a low-risk financial setup. Your median debt at graduation sits at $6,500, which is roughly one year of net price, and it takes about a decade of graduate earnings to clear it several times over. For a public two-year school in Liberal, this is a cheap ticket with a real payoff attached.
The clearest win here is nursing. The associate nursing track pays over $52,000, more than $10,000 above the school's median earnings. If you finish that credential, you leave with a licensed job that hires steadily across rural southwest Kansas hospitals and clinics. That is the strongest financial reason to enroll.
The rest of the picture is thinner. Nursing is the only high-earning program listed, so if you are not headed into a health field, your outcome likely lands closer to the school's $41,445 median. That number is decent for an associate degree, but it does not carry the same guarantee that nursing does.
The main risk is finishing. Fewer than half of students graduate, so the low debt only helps if you actually complete a credential. If you enroll, stall, and leave with credits but no degree, you get the cost without the earnings bump. Treat the completion rate as the number that decides your return.
On price, families earning under $30,000 pay the same net price as everyone else in the listed data, so there is no deep low-income discount to count on here. That said, the absolute cost is low enough that most budgets can absorb it, and the small debt load means you are not gambling much to try.
This school fits you if you want the nursing associate degree or a cheap, transferable start toward a four-year school. Look elsewhere if you need a program with proven high earnings outside health care.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Seward County Community College worth the cost compared to other schools?
At $6,742 per year net price, Seward County Community College offers relatively affordable education, but graduates earn a median of $41,445 after 10 years. The low cost helps offset the below-average earnings, making it a reasonable choice for students seeking minimal debt.
What programs at Seward County Community College have the best return on investment?
Nursing programs at Seward County Community College offer the strongest ROI, with graduates earning around $52,107 annually. These healthcare programs significantly outperform the school's overall graduate earnings of $41,445.
How much debt do Seward County Community College students typically graduate with?
Students at Seward County Community College graduate with a median debt of $6,500, which is manageable given the low net price. The relatively small debt load reduces financial risk even with modest post-graduation earnings.
What is the graduation rate at Seward County Community College and does it affect value?
Seward County Community College has a 46.40% graduation rate, meaning over half of students don't complete their programs. This completion risk should factor into your decision, especially if you're not committed to finishing your degree.