At $3,561/yr net price, Washtenaw Community College graduates earn $39,449/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $5,449/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $3,561 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $14,244 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $39,449/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$5,449/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 2.6 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 30.3% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $13,310 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $2,431/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $2,202/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $5,778/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $5,434/yr |
| $110,001+ | $11,161/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Building/Construction Finishing, Management, and Inspection. | Associate | $64,493 | |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Associate | $54,331 | $16,851 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Certificate | $51,792 | |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Associate | $42,682 | $20,000 |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR). | Associate | $41,565 | |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Associate | $40,896 | |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Associate | $40,467 | |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions. | Certificate | $36,131 | $5,500 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Associate | $33,281 | $13,566 |
| Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians. | Associate | $32,925 | $12,500 |
The Risk Factor
30.3% of students at Washtenaw 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
Washtenaw Community College gives you a low-cost entry point with modest but real payoff. At $3,561 a year, your total cost to a two-year credential stays low, and median debt lands around the price of a used car. The problem is completion: fewer than a third of students finish, so the return depends heavily on whether you actually graduate.
The programs that pay off here are hands-on and tied to the local trades and healthcare economy. The building and construction associate degree leads earnings at $64,493, well above the college-wide median of $39,449, and it does so with no debt figure attached. Registered nursing follows at $54,331, though you carry more debt to get there. HVAC and criminal justice land in the low $50Ks. These are skilled fields where an Ann Arbor-area employer needs a credential, not a bachelor's.
The risk is what happens if you don't land in one of those programs. The school-wide median earnings of $39,449 sit below the top programs, meaning general or transfer tracks pull the average down. Allied health carries $20,000 in debt against $42,682 in earnings,a thinner margin than nursing or the trades. If you enroll without a clear vocational target, the low price protects you, but the payoff shrinks.
On cost by income: if your family earns under $48k, you pay roughly $2,200-$2,400 a year, near the cheapest tier available. The jump comes in the middle: $48k-$110k earners pay around $5,500, and over $110k you pay $11,161. That middle-income cliff means a working family can end up paying more than double what a lower-income family does.
This school fits you if you want a specific trade or nursing credential and plan to finish. Look elsewhere if you need a bachelor's-level degree to hit your earnings goal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Washtenaw Community College worth the cost?
At $3,561 per year, Washtenaw Community College offers decent value for specific career programs like construction and nursing, which can lead to starting salaries above $50,000. However, the 30% graduation rate means many students don't complete their programs.
What are the best paying programs at Washtenaw Community College?
Construction and building inspection programs at Washtenaw Community College lead to median earnings of $64,493, while nursing graduates earn around $54,331. Criminal justice and HVAC programs also offer solid returns at $51,792 and $41,565 respectively.
How much debt do Washtenaw Community College graduates have?
Washtenaw Community College graduates carry a median debt of $13,310, which is manageable for programs that lead to higher earnings like construction or nursing. Students in lower-paying fields may struggle more with this debt load.
What is the graduation rate at Washtenaw Community College?
Only 30% of students graduate from Washtenaw Community College, which is below average for community colleges. This low completion rate significantly impacts the school's overall return on investment for many students.