At $6,071/yr net price, Snow College graduates earn $41,022/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $7,022/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $6,071 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $24,284 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $41,022/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$7,022/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 3.5 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 46.7% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $7,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $5,671/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $2,950/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $5,202/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $9,432/yr |
| $110,001+ | $10,636/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 | $47,260 | $7,000 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Associate | $15,552 | $6,250 |
The Risk Factor
46.7% of students at Snow 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
Snow College is one of the cheapest four-year options you can find. You pay about $6,000 a year net, borrow a median of $7,000 total, and walk out with debt that a single year of work at the $41,000 median earnings can clear. The math on cost and debt is as low-risk as public four-year schools get.
The catch is on the back end. A 40% retention rate means most of you who start won't be back for a second year, and fewer than half finish. Those low debt numbers partly reflect that you leave before you can borrow much. The cheap price only pays off if you actually graduate, and the odds here say many of you won't.
Median earnings a decade out sit around $41,000, which is modest. No bachelor-level program earnings are listed, so there's no way to point you toward the majors that pay and away from the ones that don't. Treat the $41,000 figure as your realistic center of gravity, not a floor you'll clear with the right major.
The net price tiers hold a surprise. If your family earns $30k-$48k, you pay under $3,000 a year, the best deal on the sheet. But cross into $75k-$110k and your price jumps to over $9,000, and above $110k it's over $10,000. Middle and upper-middle families lose most of the aid advantage that makes Snow cheap.
Snow fits you if you're paying near the low-income net price, you're confident you'll stay enrolled, and you want to keep debt near zero, likely as a transfer step toward a four-year degree elsewhere. Look harder if your family earns over $75k, since the price climbs while earnings stay flat, or if you need strong odds of finishing in place.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Snow College worth the cost compared to other schools?
Snow College offers a low net price of $6,071 per year with graduates earning $41,022 after 10 years, making it affordable but producing below-average earnings. The low debt burden of $7,000 helps offset the modest salary outcomes for most graduates.
What are the best paying programs at Snow College?
Nursing programs at Snow College lead to the highest earnings at $47,260 annually, while Liberal Arts graduates earn just $15,552. Choose your major carefully since program selection significantly impacts your return on investment at this school.
How much debt do Snow College graduates typically have?
Snow College graduates carry a median debt of $7,000, which is relatively low compared to national averages. This manageable debt load makes the school financially safer even though graduate earnings are modest.
What is the graduation rate at Snow College and does it affect ROI?
Snow College has a 46.7% graduation rate, meaning over half of students don't complete their programs. Non-graduates still face costs and debt without the degree needed for better job prospects, increasing financial risk.