Cost & ROI · 2026
Is San Jose City College worth it?
Pay $16,959/yr after aid. Graduates earn a median of $46,215 ten years out — about 2.7× the annual cost. EduGradify value grade: C.
The ROI math, in 30 seconds
Benchmarks
San Jose City College vs California avg vs national avg
How this school stacks up against the typical California college and the typical US college.
| Metric | San Jose City College | California avg | National avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg net price | ▲ $16,959 | $19,903 | $18,467 |
| Median earnings 10y | ▼ $46,215 | $55,363 | $50,834 |
| Median debt | — | $17,539 | $19,694 |
| Graduation rate | ▼ 34.1% | 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 $104,324 over four years. Most students get $9,122/yr in grants and scholarships.
Lifetime impact
Lifetime earnings boost vs no degree
Over a typical 40-year career, the median San Jose City College grad earns about $48,600 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 San Jose City College
The average student at San Jose City College pays $16,959 a year after grants and scholarships, against a $26,081 published sticker price. That is below the CA average net price of $19,903.
Ten years after entry, graduates earn a median of $46,215 — 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 San Jose City College.
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 San Jose City College?
The average net price — what students actually pay after grants and scholarships — is $16,959 per year. That's $9,122/yr in financial aid against the $26,081 sticker price. Over four years, that adds up to roughly $67,836.
How much do San Jose City College graduates earn?
Ten years after enrolling, San Jose City College graduates earn a median of $46,215 per year — below the national average of $50,834. That's about 2.7× the annual net cost.
Is San Jose City College worth the cost?
EduGradify assigns San Jose City College a value grade of C — top 57% on real ROI nationally. The math: pay $16,959/yr, earn $46,215/yr ten years out, ROI score of 6.81. Exceptional Investment.
What financial aid is available at San Jose City College?
20.6% of students receive federal Pell Grants (need-based federal aid). 0.6% take federal student loans. On average, students get $9,122 per year in grants and scholarships off the sticker price.
What's the difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition at San Jose City College?
In-state tuition is $1,366 per year. Out-of-state tuition is $11,922 per year — a difference of $10,556/yr or $42,224 over four years.
How does net price change with family income at San Jose City College?
Net price is income-adjusted — lower-income families typically pay much less. Students from families earning under $30k pay about $16,430. Students from families earning over $110k pay about $20,198. 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 →