Cost & ROI · 2026
Is Columbia-Greene Community College worth it?
Pay $6,559/yr after aid. Graduates earn a median of $44,441 ten years out — about 6.8× the annual cost. EduGradify value grade: A+.
The ROI math, in 30 seconds
Benchmarks
Columbia-Greene Community College vs New York avg vs national avg
How this school stacks up against the typical New York college and the typical US college.
| Metric | Columbia-Greene Community College | New York avg | National avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg net price | ▲ $6,559 | $20,287 | $18,467 |
| Median earnings 10y | ▼ $44,441 | $56,137 | $50,834 |
| Median debt | ▲ $12,000 | $18,844 | $19,694 |
| Graduation rate | ▼ 46.3% | 54.3% | 49.9% |
| Acceptance rate | — | 66.5% | 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.
Sticker price (without aid) would run roughly $57,044 over four years. Most students get $7,702/yr in grants and scholarships.
Debt math
Loan repayment scenarios
If you borrow the median $12,000 at a 6.5% federal rate, here's what each repayment plan looks like.
Debt-to-earnings: 27% of one year's median pay. Financial advisors recommend keeping student debt under 100% of expected first-year salary. You're well below that threshold.
Lifetime impact
Lifetime earnings boost vs no degree
Over a typical 40-year career, the median Columbia-Greene Community College grad earns about -$22,360 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 Columbia-Greene Community College
The average student at Columbia-Greene Community College pays $6,559 a year after grants and scholarships, against a $14,261 published sticker price. That is below the NY average net price of $20,287.
Ten years after entry, graduates earn a median of $44,441 — below the NY median of $56,137. Weighed against what students actually pay, EduGradify models this as an exceptional investment.
Typical graduates borrow about $12,000, roughly $130 a month on a standard ten-year plan — a manageable load at about 27% of one year's median earnings.
Smart alternatives
Cheaper New York colleges with comparable outcomes
Same state, at least 20% lower net price, with earnings within reach of Columbia-Greene Community College.
New York, NY · Public CUNY Bernard M Baruch College A+ Frequently asked
Cost & ROI questions
What is the net price at Columbia-Greene Community College?
The average net price — what students actually pay after grants and scholarships — is $6,559 per year. That's $7,702/yr in financial aid against the $14,261 sticker price. Over four years, that adds up to roughly $26,236.
How much do Columbia-Greene Community College graduates earn?
Ten years after enrolling, Columbia-Greene Community College graduates earn a median of $44,441 per year — below the national average of $50,834. That's about 6.8× the annual net cost.
How much debt do Columbia-Greene Community College graduates take on?
Median federal loan debt at graduation is $12,000 — about $130/month on a standard 10-year repayment plan (assuming a 6.5% federal rate). 7.7% of students take federal loans.
Is Columbia-Greene Community College worth the cost?
EduGradify assigns Columbia-Greene Community College a value grade of A+ — top 10% on real ROI nationally. The math: pay $6,559/yr, earn $44,441/yr ten years out, ROI score of 16.94. Exceptional Investment.
What financial aid is available at Columbia-Greene Community College?
26.4% of students receive federal Pell Grants (need-based federal aid). 7.7% take federal student loans. On average, students get $7,702 per year in grants and scholarships off the sticker price.
What's the difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition at Columbia-Greene Community College?
In-state tuition is $6,048 per year. Out-of-state tuition is $11,448 per year — a difference of $5,400/yr or $21,600 over four years.
How does net price change with family income at Columbia-Greene Community College?
Net price is income-adjusted — lower-income families typically pay much less. Students from families earning under $30k pay about $4,979. Students from families earning over $110k pay about $13,103. 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 →