Jefferson College
#4 Most Affordable Colleges in Missouri- Graduation Rate
- 35% D
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $40,782 C
- Roughly in line with national averages
- Net Price
- $7,378 A-
- 57% less than the typical college
- Enrollment
- 2,552
Bottom line: A C overall grade — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges. 33.3× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $33.3 over 20 years. Ranked #4 in Most Affordable Colleges in Missouri.
Every $1 spent returns $33.3 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $953,422.
What The Data Says
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A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Graduation of 35% — 38% below the national average.
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Every $1 invested returns $33.3 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Jefferson College Matters
Jefferson College is a public community college in Hillsboro, MO and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network. The result: measurable returns for the students it serves.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public Community College
- Carnegie Class
- Associate's College
- Enrollment
- 2,552
- Setting
- Rural
- Primary Strengths
- Humanities, Health Professions, Criminal Justice, Precision Production
Why students choose Jefferson College
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
This school does not report a competitive admit rate — most qualified applicants are admitted.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $7,378 a year after grants and scholarships — 57% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $40,782 ten years after enrolling — 0% above the typical college, against $9,285 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 0.9% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 84% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.36 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
At Jefferson College, you'll find a welcoming environment that caters to a diverse student body of about 2,552 individuals. This school is particularly well-suited for those interested in practical fields like Health Professions, Business & Marketing, and Mechanic & Repair Tech. With a graduation rate of 35%, it’s clear that the college is committed to helping students succeed, though it recognizes that the journey can vary for everyone.
Looking ahead, graduates from Jefferson College see median earnings of around $40,782 a decade after finishing their studies. That’s a solid starting point for many, especially given the relatively low net price of $7,378. While the graduation rate may raise some eyebrows, it's important to consider that with the right support and resources, many students find pathways to success even if they face challenges along the way.
When it comes to the financials, the median debt for students is about $9,285, which is manageable, especially with financial aid options available. About 30% of students receive Pell Grants, offering additional support for those in need. This environment tends to thrive for individuals who are motivated to pursue a hands-on education and are looking for a community that supports their goals, no matter where they start.
Rankings
Can I Get In?
How selective Jefferson College is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Jefferson College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Hillsboro, Missouri, Jefferson College enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 35%.
- Retention Rate
- 69%
- Full-Time Faculty
- 100%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $7,816
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 15:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.23
- First-Gen Students
- 46%
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Jefferson College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Jefferson College is $8,850, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $7,378. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $6,048 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $9,285 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $5,250
- Out-of-State
- $8,850
- Avg Net Price
- $7,378
- Median Debt
- $9,285
- Pell Grant Rate
- 30%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 8%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $6,048
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $5,745
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $8,614
- Family Income $110K+
- $10,568
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Jefferson College — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Jefferson College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Jefferson College report median earnings of $40,782, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $34,913
- 8 Years
- $36,508
- 10 Years
- $40,782
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.23x
- Earning > $25K
- 46%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (215)
- 27%
- 100% (215)
- 27%
- 100% (215)
- 27%
- 100% (215)
- 27%
How Jefferson Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Jefferson College Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Jefferson College delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $7,378/year ($29,512 total). Graduates earn $40,782 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $982,934 in total earnings — a net gain of $953,422 (33.3× your investment). The median debt is $9,285, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 35% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $29,512
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $982,934
- Net Return
- $953,422
- ROI Multiple
- 33.3×
- Cost Per Year
- $7,378
- Median Debt
- $9,285
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 35%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Jefferson College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Jefferson College is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 0.88%, in line with strong performers nationally. About 9% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 9.8% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $75,400, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 0.88%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 9.8%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 9.0%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $102,442
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Endowment
- $709,525
- Investment Income
- $-67,015
Top Programs
The fields Jefferson College awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Humanities 43%
- Health Professions 20% $62,371 early-career
- Criminal Justice 6% $52,305 early-career
- Precision Production 6% $35,271 early-career
- Business & Marketing 5% $42,934 early-career
- Mechanic & Repair Tech 4% $41,658 early-career
- Education 4%
- Biology & Biomedical 3%
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Jefferson College's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CPetroleum Engineer$135,690 · 2% growthResilient 72
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
- B-Optometrist$131,860 · 9% growthResilient 96
- CPurchasing Manager$131,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Jefferson College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Hillsboro, Missouri, Jefferson College enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 35%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Jefferson College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Jefferson College is $8,850, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $7,378. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $6,048 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $9,285 in federal student loans.
Is Jefferson College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Jefferson College report median earnings of $40,782, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
Does Jefferson College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Jefferson College is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 0.88%, in line with strong performers nationally. About 9% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 9.8% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $75,400, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Jefferson College? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Jefferson College. Its economic connectedness score is 1.36, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.00), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 10% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Jefferson College.
- Hawkeye Community CollegeWaterloo, IA · Close peer38% grad $42,849 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Mohawk Valley Community CollegeUtica, NY · Close peer36% grad $39,850 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- St Clair County Community CollegePort Huron, MI · Close peer33% grad $40,177 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Central Maine Community CollegeAuburn, ME · Close peer29% grad $42,448 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Hagerstown Community CollegeHagerstown, MD · Close peer38% grad $41,615 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Niagara County Community CollegeSanborn, NY · Close peer31% grad $42,285 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar net price
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Jefferson College? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs high at Jefferson College. Its economic connectedness score is 1.36, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (-0.00), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 10% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note