At $6,584/yr net price, Spoon River College graduates earn $38,386/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $4,386/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $6,584 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $26,336 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $38,386/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$4,386/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 6 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 43.1% |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $5,228/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $5,518/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $8,874/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $11,871/yr |
| $110,001+ | $11,871/yr |
The Risk Factor
43.1% of students at Spoon River 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
Spoon River College keeps your out-of-pocket cost low, and that is the whole ROI case here. At $6,584 a year net, you can finish a two-year credential for roughly what a single semester costs at many four-year schools, and median earnings ten years out land near $38,000. That is a modest return, but the low cost keeps the math workable as long as you actually graduate.
Graduation is the risk. Fewer than half of students finish, so if you stall out you carry the cost with no credential to show for it. A two-year program only pays off if you complete it, and here that is a coin flip.
No bachelor-level program earnings are listed for this school, so treat the median figure as a whole-school average, not a promise for any specific field. What you study and whether you transfer will move your outcome more than that number suggests. If you plan to use Spoon River as a cheap first two years before transferring to a four-year school, the low net price works in your favor.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families most. If your family earns under $48,000, you pay around $5,300 to $5,500 a year. Above $48,000, the price jumps past $8,800 and tops out near $11,900 for families over $75,000 , still low in absolute terms, but nearly double the bottom tier.
This school fits you if you want a low-cost start close to home, plan to finish, and either enter a local job or transfer. Look elsewhere if you need a bachelor's-track program with proven salary outcomes, since none are documented here, or if you doubt you will complete the two years.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Spoon River College worth the cost compared to other community colleges?
Spoon River College offers a relatively low net price of $6,584 per year, making it affordable for most students. However, graduates earn $38,386 ten years after starting, which is below the national average for college graduates.
What is the graduation rate at Spoon River College and does it affect ROI?
Spoon River College has a 43% graduation rate, meaning more than half of students don't complete their programs. Students who don't graduate get minimal return on investment and may still carry debt without credentials.
Do Spoon River College graduates struggle with student debt?
The low annual cost of $6,584 means most students graduate with manageable debt levels. The bigger concern is the below-average earning potential, which can make even small debt burdens feel significant.
Which programs at Spoon River College have the best job prospects?
Health sciences and skilled trades programs typically offer the strongest job placement rates at community colleges like Spoon River. Liberal arts transfer programs depend heavily on where students complete their bachelor's degrees.