Cost & ROI · 2026
Is Career Networks Institute worth it?
Pay $49,677/yr after aid. Graduates earn a median of $45,256 ten years out — about 0.9× the annual cost. EduGradify value grade: D.
The ROI math, in 30 seconds
Benchmarks
Career Networks Institute vs California avg vs national avg
How this school stacks up against the typical California college and the typical US college.
| Metric | Career Networks Institute | California avg | National avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg net price | ▼ $49,677 | $19,903 | $18,467 |
| Median earnings 10y | ▼ $45,256 | $55,363 | $50,834 |
| Median debt | ▼ $25,899 | $17,539 | $19,694 |
| Graduation rate | ▲ 89.3% | 54.3% | 49.9% |
| Acceptance rate | — | 66% | 72.3% |
Hidden cost
What you actually pay, by family income
Net price after grants and scholarships changes a lot depending on family income. Find your bracket.
Total cost
4-year cost projection
Estimated net price each year through graduation, assuming a typical 3% annual tuition increase.
Debt math
Loan repayment scenarios
If you borrow the median $25,899 at a 6.5% federal rate, here's what each repayment plan looks like.
Debt-to-earnings: 57% of one year's median pay. Financial advisors recommend keeping student debt under 100% of expected first-year salary. You're below the recommended ceiling.
Lifetime impact
Lifetime earnings boost vs no degree
Over a typical 40-year career, the median Career Networks Institute grad earns about $10,240 more than a high school graduate (assuming HS median ≈ $45k/yr, BLS).
Caveat: this is a population median, not a guarantee. Actual outcomes vary widely by major, career path, and individual choices. We're showing the median to set realistic expectations.
The verdict
What the numbers say about Career Networks Institute
The average student at Career Networks Institute pays $49,677 a year after grants and scholarships. That is above the CA average net price of $19,903.
Ten years after entry, graduates earn a median of $45,256 — below the CA median of $55,363. Weighed against what students actually pay, EduGradify models this as a standard return.
Typical graduates borrow about $25,899, roughly $281 a month on a standard ten-year plan — a moderate load at about 57% of one year's median earnings.
Smart alternatives
Cheaper California colleges with comparable outcomes
Same state, at least 20% lower net price, with earnings within reach of Career Networks Institute.
San Mateo, CA · Public College of San Mateo A+ 
Santee, CA · Private Non-Profit San Diego Christian College A+ Frequently asked
Cost & ROI questions
What is the net price at Career Networks Institute?
The average net price — what students actually pay after grants and scholarships — is $49,677 per year. Over four years, that adds up to roughly $198,708.
How much do Career Networks Institute graduates earn?
Ten years after enrolling, Career Networks Institute graduates earn a median of $45,256 per year — below the national average of $50,834. That's about 0.9× the annual net cost.
How much debt do Career Networks Institute graduates take on?
Median federal loan debt at graduation is $25,899 — about $281/month on a standard 10-year repayment plan (assuming a 6.5% federal rate). 75.8% of students take federal loans.
Is Career Networks Institute worth the cost?
EduGradify assigns Career Networks Institute a value grade of D — top 99% on real ROI nationally. The math: pay $49,677/yr, earn $45,256/yr ten years out, ROI score of 2.28. Standard Return.
What financial aid is available at Career Networks Institute?
52.2% of students receive federal Pell Grants (need-based federal aid). 75.8% take federal student loans.
How does net price change with family income at Career Networks Institute?
Net price is income-adjusted — lower-income families typically pay much less. Students from families earning under $30k pay about $45,157. Students from families earning over $110k pay about $52,552. See the chart below for all five income bands.
How we calculate ROI
Every number on this page comes from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. ROI score = (median earnings 10 years out × 10) / (avg net price × 4). The higher the ratio, the more graduates earn per dollar invested. We then percentile-rank every US college on that score to assign letter grades A+ through D. Read the full methodology →