At $6,206/yr net price, Spokane Community College graduates earn $41,984/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $7,984/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $6,206 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $24,824 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $41,984/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$7,984/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 3.1 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 37.3% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $13,501 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $3,951/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $5,152/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $7,773/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $12,382/yr |
| $110,001+ | $13,615/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 | $65,983 | $17,658 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Associate | $62,409 | $18,211 |
| Electromechanical Instrumentation and Maintenance Technologies/Technicians. | Associate | $44,942 | |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Associate | $38,289 | |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR). | Associate | $35,954 | $16,222 |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies. | Associate | $32,925 | $14,679 |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Associate | $32,925 | $18,807 |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Associate | $31,702 | |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services. | Associate | $31,038 | |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Associate | $30,635 | $13,931 |
The Risk Factor
37.3% of students at Spokane 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
Spokane Community College gives you a low-cost entry point with a modest payoff. Your net price runs about $6,200 a year, and typical debt at graduation sits around $13,500 , less than a year's earnings for a graduate ten years out. That keeps your downside small even if the upside is limited.
Those ten-year earnings, near $42,000, are the number to sit with. It's a livable Spokane wage but not a figure that clears a large debt load or funds fast wealth-building. The math works here because costs stay low, not because paychecks run high. Borrow past the typical $13,500 and the return gets thin quickly.
The bigger risk is finishing. A 37% graduation rate means most people who enroll don't complete on schedule, and the low earnings and low debt figures describe graduates, not dropouts. If you leave with loans and no credential, you get the cost without the payoff. Treat completion as the deciding factor in whether this school pays off for you.
The income-based pricing rewards lower-income families. Under $30,000, you pay under $4,000 a year. between $48,000 and $75,000 it jumps past $7,700, and above $110,000 you're near the sticker figure. If your family earns under $48,000, this is one of the cheapest paths to a credential you'll find. Higher earners pay roughly triple and should weigh whether the $42,000 earnings outcome justifies it.
This school fits you if you want a low-cost, low-debt credential close to Spokane's job market and you're confident you'll finish. Look elsewhere if you need higher earning power or you're likely to borrow heavily to attend.
For a stronger "which majors pay off" section, share the program-level salary table and I'll fold it in.Frequently Asked Questions
Is Spokane Community College worth the money?
At $6,206 per year, Spokane Community College offers reasonable value if you pick the right program. Nursing graduates earn $66,000 annually, making the investment worthwhile, but many other programs lead to earnings below $40,000.
What are the best paying programs at Spokane Community College?
Registered Nursing ($66,000) and Allied Health programs ($62,400) offer the strongest returns at Spokane Community College. Technical programs like electromechanical instrumentation ($45,000) also pay decently, while criminal justice graduates typically earn just $38,000.
How much debt do Spokane Community College graduates have?
Spokane Community College graduates leave with a median debt of $13,501, which is manageable for nursing and health programs but concerning for lower-paying fields. The low graduation rate of 37% means many students accumulate debt without finishing their programs.
Do Spokane Community College graduates get good jobs?
Graduate outcomes at Spokane Community College depend heavily on your major. Health program graduates typically find stable, well-paying work, but the overall 10-year earnings of $42,000 suggests many programs struggle to deliver strong job prospects.