At $21,236/yr net price, Trocaire College graduates earn $55,318/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $21,318/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $21,236 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $84,944 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $55,318/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$21,318/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 4 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 19.2% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $20,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $20,762/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $18,164/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $22,769/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $29,000/yr |
| $110,001+ | $27,167/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. | Bachelor | $74,576 | |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Certificate | $63,997 | |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Associate | $56,087 | |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Associate | $38,289 | $18,500 |
The Risk Factor
19.2% of students at Trocaire 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
Trocaire College gives you a mixed financial picture that leans heavily on one program. The $55,318 median earnings ten years out sit above the roughly $20,000 median debt, so the typical borrower here comes out ahead. The problem is the 19.20% graduation rate. Fewer than one in five students finish, and if you leave with debt but no degree, none of the earnings math applies to you.
Nursing is why you would come here. The bachelor's in Registered Nursing pays $74,576, nearly $20,000 above the school-wide median, and Buffalo's hospital systems hire nursing graduates steadily. If you enroll and complete this program, the return is strong and the regional job market backs it up. That single program does most of the lifting for Trocaire's overall numbers.
The risk is specific and blunt: the low completion rate means the biggest financial danger at Trocaire is not overpaying, it's not finishing. At a $21,236 net price per year, two or three years without a credential is real money lost. Go in with a clear plan to complete, ideally in nursing.
The net price tiers are unusual. Families earning under $48k pay less than higher earners, dropping to $18,164 in the $30-48k band. But if you earn $75-110k, you pay the most at $29,000, more than families above $110k. Middle-income families get the worst deal here, so run your own aid offer carefully before assuming the sticker or the average applies to you.
Trocaire fits you if you want a nursing career in the Buffalo area and will finish the degree. Look elsewhere if you are undecided about your major or unsure you'll complete, because the graduation odds and mid-income pricing work against you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Trocaire College worth the cost?
Trocaire College's value depends heavily on your program choice. Nursing graduates earn $74,576 annually, making the $21,236 yearly cost reasonable, but the 19% graduation rate means many students don't finish.
What is Trocaire College's return on investment for nursing programs?
Nursing is Trocaire's strongest ROI program, with graduates earning $74,576 per year against typical debt of $20,000. The investment pays off if you complete the program, though only 1 in 5 students graduate overall.
How much debt do Trocaire College graduates typically have?
Trocaire graduates carry a median debt of $20,000, which is manageable for nursing careers but risky for lower-paying allied health positions that average $38,289-$63,997 annually.
Should I attend Trocaire College if I'm not studying nursing?
Non-nursing programs at Trocaire show weaker returns, with allied health careers starting around $38,289-$63,997 annually. The low 19% graduation rate makes completion a significant risk regardless of program.