At $8,913/yr net price, Washington State Community College graduates earn $37,988/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $3,988/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $8,913 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $35,652 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $37,988/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$3,988/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 8.9 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 32.1% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $11,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $7,591/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $7,981/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $9,745/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $12,956/yr |
| $110,001+ | $13,456/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 | $52,107 | $14,950 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Associate | $39,369 | $16,895 |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Associate | $28,960 | $9,767 |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants. | Certificate | $27,822 | $11,025 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | Associate | $22,824 |
The Risk Factor
32.1% of students at Washington State 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
Washington State Community College runs a low-cost, low-return model, and the math depends entirely on what you study. Net price sits under $9,000 a year and median debt lands at $11,000, so you leave with less debt than most students carry from a single year at a private four-year school. That's the good news. The problem is the payoff: median earnings ten years out barely clear $38,000, which is close to what a full-time job at Ohio's going hourly wages pays without a degree at all.
The 32% graduation rate is the risk you should weigh hardest here. Two out of three students who enroll don't finish, and unfinished credits still cost money. If you start a program, you need a concrete plan to complete it, because the low sticker price only pays off if you walk out with the credential.
The net price tiers are unusually flat at the bottom. If your family earns under $48,000, you pay roughly $7,600 to $8,000 a year. Above $75,000 the price nearly doubles to around $13,000, so higher-income families lose most of the cost advantage that makes this school attractive.
This school fits you if you're paying out of pocket, staying local in the Marietta area, and using it as a cheap on-ramp to a healthcare, trade, or technical certificate you can finish fast. It does not fit you if you're chasing a high starting salary or planning to borrow heavily, since the earnings ceiling here is low. Keep your borrowing near or below the $11,000 median and finish what you start, or the return disappears.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Washington State Community College worth the cost?
With a net price of $8,913 per year and median earnings of $37,988 ten years after graduation, Washington State Community College offers decent value for students who complete their programs. However, the 32% graduation rate means many students don't finish, which significantly reduces the return on investment.
What are the best paying programs at Washington State Community College?
Registered nursing programs lead with median earnings of $52,107, followed by allied health diagnostic programs at $39,369. These healthcare-focused programs offer the strongest financial returns compared to other options at the school.
How much debt do Washington State Community College graduates have?
The median debt load is $11,000, which is manageable compared to four-year colleges. For nursing graduates earning over $50,000, this debt level represents a reasonable investment.
What is the graduation rate at Washington State Community College?
Only 32% of students graduate from Washington State Community College. This low completion rate means that most students who enroll will not finish their programs, making the investment risky for many.