At $4,427/yr net price, Triton College graduates earn $41,728/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $7,728/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $4,427 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $17,708 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $41,728/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$7,728/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 2.3 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 29.1% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $9,413 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $3,459/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $3,791/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $6,009/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $8,303/yr |
| $110,001+ | $9,231/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 | $59,948 | $12,266 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Associate | $52,357 | $10,500 |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies. | Associate | $42,682 | |
| Ophthalmic and Optometric Support Services and Allied Professions. | Associate | $37,208 | |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Certificate | $35,060 | |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Associate | $34,420 | |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services. | Associate | $32,925 | |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Associate | $24,532 | $9,184 |
| Biological and Physical Sciences. | Associate | $19,455 | $7,875 |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants. | Certificate | $18,087 |
The Risk Factor
29.1% of students at Triton 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
Triton College keeps your upfront costs low and your debt manageable, but the payoff depends almost entirely on which program you pick. At under $10,000 in median debt against a net price below $4,500 a year, the financial downside here is small. The problem is the middle: a $41,728 median ten-year earnings figure and a 29% graduation rate mean most people who enroll don't leave with a credential that moves the needle.
Nursing is the reason to come here. At nearly $60,000 a year, the associate nursing program pays more than the diagnostic and allied health associate degree by roughly $7,600 annually, and it does so in a Chicago-area market that hires nurses steadily. Allied health diagnostics and vehicle maintenance also clear the school's median, so if you're aiming at healthcare or auto tech, the numbers work in your favor.
The weaker bets are the support-services tracks. Ophthalmic and optometric support and the allied health certificate both land below $38,000, close to what many people earn without any credential. Taking on debt for those programs is harder to justify, even at Triton's low prices.
The real risk here isn't debt, it's not finishing. With fewer than a third of students graduating, the biggest financial danger is paying for credits, dropping out, and getting no degree to show for it. That's the scenario to plan against.
Triton fits you if you can commit to nursing or a healthcare track and actually complete it. If your family earns under $48,000, your net price stays under $3,800, which makes the low-risk bet even lower-risk. Families over $110,000 pay closer to $9,200, still cheap, but you should be confident about the program and your ability to finish before enrolling.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Triton College worth the money?
At $4,427 per year, Triton College offers good value for students who complete programs in nursing or healthcare fields. The low cost means manageable debt, but the 29% graduation rate shows many students don't finish their programs.
What are the best paying majors at Triton College?
Nursing programs at Triton College lead to median earnings of nearly $60,000, making them the clear winners for return on investment. Vehicle maintenance and healthcare support programs also pay well above the school's overall average of $41,728.
How much debt do Triton College graduates have?
Triton College graduates typically leave with $9,413 in debt, which is manageable given the low annual cost. This debt load is reasonable for nursing and healthcare graduates but may be harder to repay for students in lower-paying programs.
Does Triton College have a good graduation rate?
Triton College's 29% graduation rate is concerning and below national averages for community colleges. Students should have a clear plan and realistic timeline for completing their program to avoid wasting time and money.