At $10,918/yr net price, Southern State Community College graduates earn $35,463/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $1,463/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $10,918 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $43,672 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $35,463/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$1,463/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 29.9 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 26.2% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $11,457 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $9,076/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $10,088/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $11,120/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $14,918/yr |
| $110,001+ | $15,415/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 | $49,797 | $15,128 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Associate | $33,993 | |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Associate | $24,267 | $9,000 |
The Risk Factor
26.2% of students at Southern State 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
Southern State Community College gives you a mixed financial return that hinges almost entirely on which program you finish. Median earnings ten years out sit below what many bachelor's holders make, and the 26% graduation rate is the biggest risk here: most people who start don't finish, and a credential you don't complete leaves you with debt and no earnings bump.
Nursing is the clear winner. The associate nursing track pays about $50,000, roughly double the general studies associate at $24,000. That gap tells you almost everything about program choice at this school. Nursing carries more debt too, around $15,000 against $9,000 for liberal arts, but the earnings more than cover it. Allied health lands in the middle near $34,000, a decent return for a two-year credential in rural southern Ohio.
The Liberal Arts and General Studies path is where you should be careful. At $24,000 in median earnings, it works mainly as a transfer step toward a four-year degree. Stop there and the return is thin, even with lower debt.
On cost, the net price is low in absolute terms, and the tiers reward lower-income families. If your family earns under $30,000, you pay about $9,000. over $110,000, you pay closer to $15,400. Even at the top tier, this is affordable compared to most colleges. Median debt around $11,500 is manageable if you land in a health field.
This school fits you if you want a nursing or allied health credential, you plan to work in the Hillsboro region, and you're confident you'll finish. Look elsewhere, or treat this purely as a cheap transfer launchpad, if you're aiming for general studies with no clear next step. The low completion rate makes finishing the whole game.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Southern State Community College worth the money?
Southern State Community College offers decent value if you complete a nursing program, but the 26% graduation rate means many students pay without finishing. The nursing programs lead to $49,797 annual earnings, while other programs typically result in much lower pay.
What are the job prospects after graduating from Southern State Community College?
Job prospects depend heavily on your program choice at Southern State Community College. Nursing graduates earn nearly $50,000 annually, but liberal arts graduates average only $24,267, which barely covers the cost of attendance.
How much student debt do Southern State Community College graduates have?
Southern State Community College graduates carry a median debt of $11,457, which is manageable for nursing graduates but challenging for those in lower-paying programs. The debt-to-income ratio varies significantly by field of study.
What is the graduation rate at Southern State Community College?
Southern State Community College has a 26% graduation rate, meaning roughly 3 out of 4 students don't complete their programs. This low completion rate represents a significant financial risk for students who pay tuition but don't earn credentials.