Cost & ROI · 2026
Is El Camino Community College District worth it?
Pay $5,968/yr after aid. Graduates earn a median of $41,589 ten years out — about 7.0× the annual cost. EduGradify value grade: A+.
The ROI math, in 30 seconds
Benchmarks
El Camino Community College District vs California avg vs national avg
How this school stacks up against the typical California college and the typical US college.
| Metric | El Camino Community College District | California avg | National avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg net price | ▲ $5,968 | $19,903 | $18,467 |
| Median earnings 10y | ▼ $41,589 | $55,363 | $50,834 |
| Median debt | — | $17,539 | $19,694 |
| Graduation rate | ▼ 41.8% | 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.
Sticker price (without aid) would run roughly $60,984 over four years. Most students get $9,278/yr in grants and scholarships.
Lifetime impact
Lifetime earnings boost vs no degree
Over a typical 40-year career, the median El Camino Community College District grad earns about -$136,440 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 El Camino Community College District
The average student at El Camino Community College District pays $5,968 a year after grants and scholarships, against a $15,246 published sticker price. That is below the CA average net price of $19,903.
Ten years after entry, graduates earn a median of $41,589 — below the CA median of $55,363. Weighed against what students actually pay, EduGradify models this as an exceptional investment.
Smart alternatives
Cheaper California colleges with comparable outcomes
Same state, at least 20% lower net price, with earnings within reach of El Camino Community College District.
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 El Camino Community College District?
The average net price — what students actually pay after grants and scholarships — is $5,968 per year. That's $9,278/yr in financial aid against the $15,246 sticker price. Over four years, that adds up to roughly $23,872.
How much do El Camino Community College District graduates earn?
Ten years after enrolling, El Camino Community College District graduates earn a median of $41,589 per year — below the national average of $50,834. That's about 7.0× the annual net cost.
Is El Camino Community College District worth the cost?
EduGradify assigns El Camino Community College District a value grade of A+ — top 9% on real ROI nationally. The math: pay $5,968/yr, earn $41,589/yr ten years out, ROI score of 17.42. Exceptional Investment.
What financial aid is available at El Camino Community College District?
27.3% of students receive federal Pell Grants (need-based federal aid). 0.5% take federal student loans. On average, students get $9,278 per year in grants and scholarships off the sticker price.
What's the difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition at El Camino Community College District?
In-state tuition is $1,144 per year. Out-of-state tuition is $7,630 per year — a difference of $6,486/yr or $25,944 over four years.
How does net price change with family income at El Camino Community College District?
Net price is income-adjusted — lower-income families typically pay much less. Students from families earning under $30k pay about $4,319. Students from families earning over $110k pay about $12,869. 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 →