At $2,699/yr net price, Taft College graduates earn $38,861/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $4,861/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $2,699 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $10,796 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $38,861/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$4,861/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 2.2 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 33.8% |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $2,182/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $2,000/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $4,518/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $8,225/yr |
The Risk Factor
33.8% of students at Taft 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
Taft College costs you almost nothing to attend, and that changes how you read every other number here. At around $2,700 a year net, even a two-year run puts you under $6,000 in total price before earnings enter the picture. That low bar is the whole financial case for this school.
The return is modest but hard to lose money on. Median earnings ten years out sit below $39,000, which is not a strong wage on its own. But against a net price this small, the math still works: you are not borrowing heavily for a degree that pays back slowly. The risk is not debt. The risk is the 33.8% graduation rate. Two out of three of you leave without finishing, and if that is you, you paid for time and credits without the credential that lifts earnings.
No bachelor-level program salary data is listed here, so treat any single-major promise with caution and confirm outcomes before you commit. As a two-year public college, Taft works best if you plan to transfer to a four-year school or use it to enter a specific local trade or field, then move on. The $39,000 median reflects people who stopped at this level.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families most. If your family earns under $48,000, you pay around $2,000 or less a year. Between $48,000 and $75,000, that roughly doubles to about $4,500, and between $75,000 and $110,000 it climbs past $8,000. The price stays reasonable at every tier, but the jump is steep enough that middle-income families feel it.
Taft is a good fit if you want a cheap, low-risk start and intend to transfer or finish quickly. Look elsewhere if you need a four-year degree's earning power and won't commit to completing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Taft College worth the money?
Taft College offers strong value with a net price of just $2,699 per year, making it one of the most affordable options in California. However, the 34% graduation rate is concerning and means many students leave without completing their programs.
What is the return on investment for Taft College?
Taft College graduates earn around $38,861 ten years after enrollment, which is modest but reasonable given the low cost of attendance. The affordable tuition means less debt risk, but the low graduation rate reduces the chances of seeing any return at all.
Which Taft College programs have the best job prospects?
Taft College's career-focused programs in fields like healthcare support, skilled trades, and business tend to lead to steady employment in the Central Valley region. The college's proximity to oil and agriculture industries provides local job opportunities for relevant certificate programs.
How much debt do Taft College students typically have?
The low net price at Taft College means students can minimize debt compared to four-year schools. Many students qualify for significant financial aid that covers most costs, making this one of the more debt-friendly college options in California.