At $4,974/yr net price, Western Nebraska Community College graduates earn $38,729/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $4,729/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $4,974 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $19,896 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $38,729/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$4,729/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 4.2 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 35.5% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $9,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $3,369/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $3,709/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $5,935/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $8,771/yr |
| $110,001+ | $9,790/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 | $53,775 | $12,498 |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants. | Certificate | $31,127 | $9,169 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Associate | $18,154 |
The Risk Factor
35.5% of students at Western Nebraska 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
Western Nebraska Community College keeps your costs low and your debt manageable, but the payoff depends heavily on what you study. At under $5,000 a year and a median debt of $9,000, you are not risking much money here. The question is whether the degree returns anything.
Nursing is the clear win. An associate degree in registered nursing gets you to nearly $54,000 a year, the highest earnings on this list, and it feeds directly into the healthcare jobs that western Nebraska needs to staff. The practical nursing certificate pays around $31,000 for a shorter, cheaper credential, so it works if you want to start earning fast and possibly bridge into the RN track later.
Liberal Arts and General Studies is where the math falls apart. Median earnings there sit around $18,000 a year, below what full-time minimum-wage work pays. If you take this associate degree as an endpoint, you lose. Treat it only as a transfer step toward a four-year school, and know that transferring adds cost and time this data does not cover.
The real risk here is the 35.5% graduation rate. Cheap tuition does not help you if you leave without the credential, and nursing programs are demanding. Your low-debt safety net only holds if you finish.
The net price tiers stay affordable across incomes, but they climb. If your family earns over $110,000, you pay roughly triple what the lowest-income families pay, though the top figure is still under $10,000. For a lower-income family, this school is one of the cheapest paths into a nursing career.
Come here for nursing and finish. If you only want general studies with no transfer plan, the numbers say look elsewhere.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Western Nebraska Community College worth the cost?
With a net price of $4,974 per year and relatively low median debt of $9,000, Western Nebraska Community College offers decent value for students who graduate. However, the 35% graduation rate means many students don't finish their programs.
What programs at Western Nebraska Community College have the best ROI?
Registered nursing programs lead with graduates earning $53,775 annually, while practical nursing graduates earn $31,127. Liberal arts graduates earn significantly less at $18,154, making career-focused programs the better investment.
How much debt do Western Nebraska Community College graduates typically have?
The median debt is $9,000, which is manageable compared to four-year schools. Nursing graduates can typically handle this debt load given their earning potential, but liberal arts graduates may struggle with repayment.
What are the biggest risks of attending Western Nebraska Community College?
The 35% graduation rate is the main concern, meaning most students don't complete their programs. Students should have clear career goals and strong academic preparation before enrolling.