At $34,402/yr net price, Smith Chason College graduates earn $58,004/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $24,004/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $34,402 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $137,608 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $58,004/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$24,004/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 5.7 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 48.5% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $21,397 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $34,583/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $33,205/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $34,408/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $35,027/yr |
| $110,001+ | $34,750/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Certificate | $76,460 | $25,839 |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants. | Certificate | $45,500 | $16,640 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Associate | $34,140 | $22,522 |
The Risk Factor
48.5% of students at Smith Chason 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
Smith Chason College gives you a mixed financial picture with a real cost problem. At over $34,000 a year in net price, this for-profit college charges you close to what many private nonprofits do, and it does that while graduating fewer than half of the people who enroll. Your median earnings ten years out land near $58,000, which is a decent number on its own, but you have to weigh it against a price tag that four years deep runs past six figures.
The debt side is the one bright spot. Median debt here sits low, so if you finish, you likely leave without the loan burden that sinks graduates of many for-profit schools. That gap between a high net price and low median debt tells you a lot of the cost gets covered by grants and out-of-pocket payment while you attend, not borrowing.
The biggest risk is the graduation rate. Just under half of you will finish. If you drop out, you pay the high price and get none of the earnings payoff, which is the worst outcome this school can hand you. Your ROI depends heavily on you being in the half that graduates.
The net price barely moves across income levels. Whether your family earns under $30,000 or over $110,000, you pay roughly the same $33,000 to $35,000. That means low-income families get almost no break here, which makes this school a heavy lift if you are paying from a modest household budget.
This is a reasonable fit if you are confident you will graduate and the specific program you want is offered here. If cost sensitivity or completion risk is a concern for you, a lower-priced public option deserves a hard look first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Smith Chason College worth the money?
Smith Chason College's ROI depends heavily on your program choice. Allied health graduates earn $76,460 annually, making the $34,402 yearly cost reasonable, but the 48.5% graduation rate means many students don't finish.
What are the best paying majors at Smith Chason College?
Allied Health Diagnostic programs offer the strongest returns at $76,460 average salary. Practical nursing graduates earn $45,500, while some allied health tracks only reach $34,140.
How much debt do Smith Chason College graduates have?
Graduates leave with $21,397 in median debt, which is manageable for allied health earners but creates payment stress for lower-earning program graduates.
What is Smith Chason College's graduation rate and job placement?
Only 48.5% of students graduate, meaning over half don't complete their programs. The school focuses on health careers with direct job paths, but you need to actually finish to benefit.