At $5,741/yr net price, Sinclair Community College graduates earn $37,558/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $3,558/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $5,741 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $22,964 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $37,558/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$3,558/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 6.5 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 31.9% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $12,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $3,855/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $4,546/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $6,703/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $8,192/yr |
| $110,001+ | $8,559/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 | $54,082 | $16,500 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Certificate | $53,810 | $7,287 |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions. | Associate | $51,482 | $18,000 |
| Computer Programming. | Associate | $50,270 | |
| Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians. | Associate | $46,478 | |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Associate | $46,254 | $14,197 |
| Computer Systems Networking and Telecommunications. | Associate | $45,696 | $14,985 |
| Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians. | Associate | $42,682 | |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions. | Certificate | $42,123 | |
| Business Operations Support and Assistant Services. | Associate | $38,289 |
The Risk Factor
31.9% of students at Sinclair 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
Sinclair Community College keeps your costs low, and that is the strongest part of its financial picture. Net price sits under $6,000 a year, and the typical graduate leaves with $12,000 in debt. That is a small loan to carry, and it is the number that protects you if things go sideways.
The problem is the return on the other side. Median earnings ten years out land in the high $30,000s, which is modest even for an associate-focused school. Pair that with a graduation rate below one in three, and the risk becomes clear: most people who enroll here do not finish, and a credential you never complete does not pay back the time or money you put in. Your low debt only stays low if you actually walk away with a degree.
No bachelor-level program earnings are listed here, so treat any specific major-by-major promise with caution. What the numbers do say is that Sinclair works as a cost-controlled entry point, especially if you plan to transfer to a four-year school and finish elsewhere, where earnings tend to climb higher than this median suggests.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families most. If your household earns under $30,000, you pay under $4,000 a year. over $110,000, you pay closer to $8,600. Even the top tier is cheap by college standards, so cost is not the barrier at any income level here.
This school fits you if you need an affordable start, live near Dayton, and have a concrete plan to finish or transfer. Look elsewhere if you want strong standalone earning power from a completed program, because the combination of low completion and low median pay means the payoff here depends entirely on you beating the odds and graduating.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Sinclair Community College worth the cost?
Sinclair offers decent value with a low net price of $5,741 per year and manageable debt of $12,000. However, the 32% graduation rate and median earnings of $37,558 after 10 years suggest many students struggle to complete programs or see strong returns.
What are the best paying programs at Sinclair Community College?
Nursing programs lead earnings at around $54,000, followed by allied health fields at $53,810 and dental support services at $51,482. These healthcare-focused programs offer the strongest return on investment at Sinclair.
How much debt do Sinclair Community College graduates have?
Sinclair graduates carry a median debt of $12,000, which is relatively low for higher education. This manageable debt load helps improve the overall value proposition, especially for students who complete their programs.
Why is Sinclair Community College's graduation rate so low?
Only 32% of students graduate from Sinclair, likely due to the challenges many community college students face balancing work, family, and school. This low completion rate significantly impacts the school's overall return on investment for many who enroll.