At $5,999/yr net price, Tulsa Community College graduates earn $39,746/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $5,746/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $5,999 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $23,996 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $39,746/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$5,746/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 4.2 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 26.8% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $12,223 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $4,625/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $4,836/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $7,401/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $9,525/yr |
| $110,001+ | $10,642/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions. | Associate | $63,749 | $13,810 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Associate | $60,689 | $17,064 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Associate | $46,697 | $13,286 |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Associate | $45,696 | $11,700 |
| Rehabilitation and Therapeutic Professions. | Associate | $44,021 | |
| Computer and Information Sciences and Support Services, Other. | Associate | $32,382 | |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication. | Associate | $30,409 | |
| Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies, Other. | Associate | $30,409 | $11,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Associate | $28,598 | $13,875 |
| Social Sciences, General. | Associate | $26,353 | $11,838 |
The Risk Factor
26.8% of students at Tulsa 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
Tulsa Community College keeps costs low and debt manageable, but the payoff depends almost entirely on which program you pick. At under $6,000 a year and median debt around $12,000, you can finish without drowning in loans. The catch is the median graduate earns under $40,000 a decade out, and only about a quarter of students finish at all.
Health care is where the money is here. The dental support and registered nursing associate programs both clear $60,000, and nursing pays that even after graduates take on the highest debt load on the list. If you enroll planning to become a nurse, dental hygienist, or work in allied health diagnostics, the numbers work in your favor. Every top-earning program is a health credential, so if your interest lies outside that lane, TCC's earnings data gives you no evidence you'll land near those figures.
The biggest risk is the graduation rate. Fewer than three in ten students complete, and the low sticker price only pays off if you actually finish a credential that leads somewhere. Drop out and you keep the debt without the nursing or dental salary that justifies it.
Net price barely moves for lower-income families: you'll pay roughly $4,600 to $4,800 whether your family earns under $30,000 or up to $48,000. Above $48,000 the price climbs steadily, reaching over $10,000 for families earning more than $110,000. Even at the top tier, that's cheap compared to a four-year school.
TCC fits you if you're aiming at a health credential and can commit to finishing. If you want a broad transfer path with no clear vocational target, treat the completion odds and the modest median earnings as a warning before you enroll.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Tulsa Community College worth the cost?
At $6,000 per year, Tulsa Community College offers solid value if you pick the right program and graduate. Healthcare programs like dental support and nursing provide strong returns, but the 27% graduation rate means many students don't finish.
What are the best paying programs at Tulsa Community College?
Dental support services ($63,749) and nursing programs ($60,689) offer the highest earnings potential at Tulsa Community College. These healthcare fields provide clear career paths that justify the investment.
How much debt will I have after Tulsa Community College?
Students typically graduate with $12,223 in debt from Tulsa Community College. This is manageable debt for healthcare graduates but could be problematic if you don't complete your program or choose a lower-paying field.
Do Tulsa Community College graduates make good money?
Overall graduate earnings average $39,746 after 10 years, which is modest. However, this varies dramatically by program - nursing and dental graduates earn significantly more while other fields may struggle to justify even the low tuition cost.