At $5,981/yr net price, St Charles Community College graduates earn $42,422/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $8,422/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $5,981 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $23,924 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $42,422/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$8,422/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 2.8 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 23.0% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $6,187 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $3,598/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $5,017/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $8,032/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $9,287/yr |
| $110,001+ | $9,015/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 | $54,109 | $10,000 |
| Computer Programming. | Associate | $49,058 | |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants. | Certificate | $44,649 | |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | Associate | $33,993 | |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Associate | $27,103 | $5,500 |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Associate | $25,194 |
The Risk Factor
23.0% of students at St Charles 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
St Charles Community College keeps costs low and debt lower, which makes the math work in your favor before you factor in earnings. You leave with a median debt around $6,000, roughly one paycheck's worth against a mid-career salary above $40,000. That is a rare setup for a two-year public school.
The nursing track is where the money is. The associate nursing degree pays about $54,000, and even the practical nursing certificate clears $44,000. Computer Programming lands close behind near $49,000. These are the programs that justify enrolling here. If you finish one of them, the return is strong and the debt is trivial by comparison.
The Liberal Arts and Sciences associate is the weak spot. At roughly $27,000 in median earnings, it pays half of what nursing does. Treat it as a transfer step toward a four-year degree, not an endpoint. Health and Medical Administrative Services at about $34,000 sits in the same soft middle. Both leave you paying the same tuition for far less earning power.
The real risk is finishing. Only 23% graduate. If you drop out, you carry the cost and get none of the salary bump, and that failure rate is the single biggest threat to your money here.
On price, families earning under $30,000 pay about $3,600 a year, and even the highest earners pay around $9,000. The system is progressive at the bottom, but the jump between the $48-75k tier and higher brackets is small, so middle-income families see less relief than you might expect.
This school fits you if you want a nursing or programming credential and you will finish. If you plan a general studies associate as your final degree, the payoff is thin, and you should either commit to transferring or look elsewhere.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is St Charles Community College worth the money?
St Charles Community College offers strong value for nursing and computer programming students, with graduates earning $44,000-$54,000 annually. However, the 23% graduation rate is concerning, and liberal arts students earn only $27,000 after graduation.
What are the best paying programs at St Charles Community College?
Registered nursing leads at $54,109 annually, followed by computer programming at $49,058. Health administration and liberal arts programs pay significantly less at $34,000 and $27,000 respectively.
How much debt do St Charles Community College students graduate with?
The median debt is relatively low at $6,187, making it less risky than four-year schools. With a net price of $5,981 per year, most students can graduate with manageable debt levels.
What is the graduation rate at St Charles Community College?
Only 23% of students graduate, which is below average for community colleges. This low completion rate means many students leave without credentials, reducing the school's overall value proposition.