At $8,478/yr net price, Tallahassee Community College graduates earn $37,561/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $3,561/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $8,478 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $33,912 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $37,561/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$3,561/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 9.5 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 36.9% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $7,668 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $5,597/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $6,965/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $9,373/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $11,641/yr |
| $110,001+ | $12,249/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 | $50,856 | $9,750 |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions. | Associate | $50,105 | $10,750 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Associate | $42,682 | $16,667 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Certificate | $35,740 | $7,813 |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General. | Associate | $31,581 | |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Associate | $21,218 | $7,343 |
The Risk Factor
36.9% of students at Tallahassee 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
Tallahassee Community College gives you a low-cost entry point with a modest payoff. At $8,478 a year and median debt of $7,668, you leave with less debt than almost any four-year path in Florida. But median earnings of $37,561 ten years out show the ceiling: this is a floor-level wage, not a springboard to a strong salary.
The bigger risk is finishing at all. A 36.9% graduation rate means most people who enroll do not complete here. If you drop out, you carry whatever debt you took on with no credential to show for it, and the ROI collapses. The low debt figure only protects you if you finish.
No bachelor-level program earnings are listed, so treat any specific major's payoff as unknown from this data alone. What the numbers support is a cost story, not a program story.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families most. Under $30k, you pay $5,597. over $110k, you pay $12,249 , more than double. That gap makes this school a genuine bargain if your family earns under $48k, where you stay under $7,000 a year. Above $110k, the value is thinner, since you pay full-tier price for below-average earnings outcomes.
This works well for you if you want to keep debt near zero, live in the Tallahassee area, and plan to transfer to a four-year school or use TCC as a cheap start. It works poorly if you need the credential itself to land a high-paying job, since the earnings data does not back that up. Go in with a completion plan and a transfer target, or the math stops working.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Tallahassee Community College worth the money?
Tallahassee Community College offers decent value with a low net price of $8,478 per year and median debt of only $7,668. However, the 37% graduation rate is concerning, and average earnings of $37,561 ten years after enrollment are modest.
What are the best paying programs at Tallahassee Community College?
Nursing programs at Tallahassee Community College provide the strongest returns, with graduates earning around $50,856 annually. Dental support services and allied health programs also pay well at $50,105 and $42,682 respectively.
How much debt do Tallahassee Community College graduates have?
Tallahassee Community College graduates carry a median debt of $7,668, which is relatively low for higher education. The affordable tuition helps keep borrowing minimal compared to four-year institutions.
What is the graduation rate at Tallahassee Community College?
Only 37% of students graduate from Tallahassee Community College within the tracked timeframe. This low completion rate means many students may not finish their programs and could struggle to see returns on their investment.