At $4,928/yr net price, Southwestern Community College graduates earn $34,145/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $145/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $4,928 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $19,712 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $34,145/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$145/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 135.9 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 53.6% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $10,500 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $4,445/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $6,140/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $4,066/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 | $54,904 | $12,244 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Associate | $46,321 | |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Associate | $33,993 | |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions. | Associate | $32,925 | |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Associate | $30,771 | |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | Associate | $27,126 | |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants. | Certificate | $26,353 | |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Associate | $25,580 | $7,845 |
| Legal Support Services. | Associate | $25,194 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Associate | $24,035 |
The Risk Factor
53.6% of students at Southwestern 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
Southwestern Community College gives you a low-cost entry point with a clear payoff if you pick the right program. You'll borrow around $10,500 total and pay under $5,000 a year, so the debt risk here is small even if your earnings stay modest. More than half of students finish, which matters at a two-year school where dropping out means you paid without getting the credential.
The nursing associate degree is the reason to come here. It pays roughly $55,000 ten years out, and even after slightly higher debt of about $12,000, that return covers your costs many times over. The allied health diagnostic and treatment track is the second-strongest bet, landing near $46,000. These are the programs tied to regional hospital and clinic jobs, and they're where your money works hardest.
The gap between programs is wide. Medical assisting, lab science, and computer sciences all cluster near $30,000 to $34,000, close to the school's overall median earnings. If you enroll in one of those, your degree barely moves you above where you'd start without it. The computer sciences associate in particular pays the least of the listed programs, so treat it as a transfer step toward a four-year degree, not an endpoint.
The net price tiers hold a quirk worth planning around: families earning $30,000 to $48,000 pay the most, about $6,140, while both lower and higher earners pay less. If you're in that middle band, budget for the higher figure. This school fits you if you want nursing or allied health at a low price, or a cheap launching point to transfer. Look elsewhere if you want a terminal associate in computing or general studies and expect it to carry your income.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Southwestern Community College worth the money?
Southwestern Community College offers good value for healthcare-focused students, with nursing programs leading to $54,904 median earnings and relatively low debt of $10,500. However, the overall graduate earning median of $34,145 is modest, and the 54% graduation rate means nearly half of students don't finish.
What are the best paying programs at Southwestern Community College?
Registered Nursing is the clear winner at Southwestern Community College, with graduates earning a median of $54,904. Allied Health Diagnostic programs also pay well at $46,321, while general computer science graduates earn $30,771.
How much debt do Southwestern Community College graduates have?
Southwestern Community College graduates carry a median debt of $10,500, which is manageable compared to four-year schools. The low annual net price of $4,928 helps keep borrowing minimal for most students.
Does Southwestern Community College have a good return on investment?
Southwestern Community College's ROI depends heavily on your program choice. Nursing students see strong returns, but other programs may struggle to justify costs given the $34,145 overall median earnings and 54% graduation rate.