At $8,683/yr net price, Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute graduates earn $27,660/yr within 10 years of enrollment.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $8,683 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $34,732 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $27,660/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | $-6,340/yr |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 8.8% |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $8,461/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $8,623/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $11,208/yr |
The Risk Factor
8.8% of students at Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute 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
Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute presents significant financial risks despite its low $8,683 annual cost. The median graduate earns just $27,660 ten years after enrollment, creating a weak return on investment that barely justifies even this modest expense.
The 8.8% graduation rate creates the school's primary financial danger. You face high odds of leaving with debt but no credential, making this a particularly risky investment. Only one in eleven students completes their program, meaning most attendees never reach the point where they can benefit from their education financially.
The low earnings outcomes suggest that even graduates struggle in the job market. At $27,660 annually, you would earn roughly $13 per hour, limiting your ability to pay back loans or build financial stability. This income level provides minimal premium over high school diploma jobs in the Albuquerque area.
This school works financially only if you can complete your program without borrowing and have strong personal motivation to finish despite the institutional challenges. You need strong self-direction and support systems to overcome the low completion rates. The cultural mission and specialized focus on Native American students may provide non-financial value, but the economic case remains weak.
You should strongly consider alternatives with higher completion rates and better earnings outcomes. Community colleges with similar costs but stronger track records would provide better financial protection. Only pursue SIPI if the cultural and community aspects outweigh the substantial financial risks, and only if you can attend debt-free.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute worth the cost?
With graduates earning $27,660 ten years after enrollment and a net price of $8,683 annually, Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute offers a low-cost education but very low earnings potential. The 8.8% graduation rate indicates most students don't complete their programs.
What is the graduation rate at Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute?
Only 8.8% of students graduate from Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute. This extremely low completion rate means the majority of students leave without a degree, making the investment risky regardless of the low tuition cost.
How much do Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute graduates earn?
Graduates earn an average of $27,660 ten years after enrollment at Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute. This is well below the national average for college graduates and may not provide sufficient return on investment even at the school's low cost.
Should I attend Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute for career prospects?
The combination of very low graduation rates and below-average earnings makes Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute a high-risk choice for career advancement. Most students don't graduate, and those who do earn significantly less than typical college graduates.