Nassau Community College
- Graduation Rate
- 23% F
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $48,248 B-
- Roughly in line with national averages
- Net Price
- $7,095 A-
- 59% less than the typical college
- Enrollment
- 10,630
Bottom line: A B- overall grade — strong outcomes across the board. 48.1× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $48.1 over 20 years.
Every $1 spent returns $48.1 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $1,337,433.
What The Data Says
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A B- overall — outcomes above the typical U.S. college.
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Graduation of 23% — 59% below the national average.
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Social mobility rate of 2.30% — an engine of upward economic mobility.
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Every $1 invested returns $48.1 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Nassau Community College Matters
Nassau Community College is a public community college in Garden City, NY and its outcomes are not an accident. They are driven by a well-connected, high-opportunity alumni network and a strong record of moving students up the income ladder. The result: graduate earnings well above the typical college.
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
- 10,630
- Setting
- Suburban
- Designations
- HSI
- Primary Strengths
- Humanities, Health Professions, Business & Marketing, Criminal Justice
Why students choose Nassau Community 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 $7,095 a year after grants and scholarships — 59% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $48,248 ten years after enrolling — 18% above the typical college, against $10,500 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 2.3% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 21% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.39 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With over 10,600 students, Nassau Community College is a solid choice for those seeking a diverse and accessible learning environment. It's especially appealing for individuals interested in programs like Humanities, Health Professions, Business & Marketing, Criminal Justice, and Computer Science & IT. The focus here is on practical skills and knowledge that translate directly into the workforce, which can be a real advantage for students eager to jump into their careers.
Looking at what happens after graduation, students at Nassau can expect to earn about $48,248 after ten years. While the graduation rate sits at 23%, many students find their footing in the job market, particularly with degrees in in-demand fields. Affordability also plays a key role; with a net price of just over $7,000, it’s a financially viable option for many. Nearly 40% of students receive Pell Grants, making it even more accessible for those in need of financial assistance.
On the practical side, students leave Nassau with a median debt of $10,500, which is relatively manageable compared to potential earnings. This school tends to attract those who are motivated and ready to work hard, whether they're aiming to transfer to a four-year institution or jump directly into the workforce. It's a place where students can find their niche, build skills, and set themselves up for future success without overwhelming debt.
Rankings
- #21 Best Criminal Justice Colleges in New York
- #23 Best Online Computer Science Programs in New York
- #23 Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in New York
- #26 Most Affordable Colleges in New York
- #27 Best Online Business Programs in New York
- #27 Best Online Nursing Programs in New York
- #48 Best Online Colleges in New York
Can I Get In?
How selective Nassau Community 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 Nassau Community College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Garden City, New York, Nassau Community College enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 23%.
- Retention Rate
- 64%
- Full-Time Faculty
- 42%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $12,445
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 17:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.74
- First-Gen Students
- 45%
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 Nassau Community College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Nassau Community College is $12,130, 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 $7,095. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $4,029 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $10,500 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $6,330
- Out-of-State
- $12,130
- Avg Net Price
- $7,095
- Median Debt
- $10,500
- Pell Grant Rate
- 39%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 18%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $4,029
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $5,507
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $9,154
- Family Income $110K+
- $14,164
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 Nassau Community 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 Nassau Community College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Nassau Community College earn a median of $48,248, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $37,124
- 8 Years
- $44,016
- 10 Years
- $48,248
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.22x
- Earning > $25K
- 55%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (258)
- 8%
- 100% (258)
- 8%
- 100% (258)
- 8%
- 100% (258)
- 8%
How Nassau 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 Nassau Community College Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Nassau Community College delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $7,095/year ($28,380 total). Graduates earn $48,248 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $1,365,813 in total earnings — a net gain of $1,337,433 (48.1× your investment). The median debt is $10,500, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 23% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $28,380
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $1,365,813
- Net Return
- $1,337,433
- ROI Multiple
- 48.1×
- Cost Per Year
- $7,095
- Median Debt
- $10,500
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 23%
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 Nassau Community College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Nassau Community College is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 2.30%, among the highest in the country. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 10.6% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 21.6% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $80,100, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 2.30%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 21.6%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 10.6%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $108,828
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Top Programs
The fields Nassau Community 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 40%
- Health Professions 15% $82,387 early-career
- Business & Marketing 15% $40,898 early-career
- Criminal Justice 6% $33,612 early-career
- Visual & Performing Arts 5% $19,579 early-career
- Computer Science & IT 4% $50,714 early-career
- Culinary & Personal Services 3% $51,598 early-career
- Legal Studies 2% $41,477 early-career
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 Nassau Community 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
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
- B-Software Developer$132,270 · 25% growthVulnerable 40
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Nassau Community College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Garden City, New York, Nassau Community College enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 23%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Nassau Community College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Nassau Community College is $12,130, 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 $7,095. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $4,029 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $10,500 in federal student loans.
Is Nassau Community College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Nassau Community College earn a median of $48,248, roughly in line with the national average for college graduates.
Does Nassau Community College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Nassau Community College is a genuine engine of upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 2.30%, among the highest in the country. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 10.6% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 21.6% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $80,100, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Nassau Community 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 Nassau Community College. Its economic connectedness score is 1.39, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias sits near the middle of the range (0.12). Around 4% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Nassau Community College.
- Prince George's Community CollegeLargo, MD · Close peer22% grad $47,548 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate
- Bunker Hill Community CollegeBoston, MA · Close peer16% grad $47,618 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar net price
- Bergen Community CollegeParamus, NJ · Close peer22% grad $46,624 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- College of DuPageGlen Ellyn, IL · Close peer25% grad $46,909 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- SUNY Westchester Community CollegeValhalla, NY · Close peer24% grad $46,822 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · same state
- Moreno Valley CollegeMoreno Valley, CA · Close peer33% grad $52,133 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar net price
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Nassau Community 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 Nassau Community College. Its economic connectedness score is 1.39, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias sits near the middle of the range (0.12). Around 4% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note