Northampton County Area Community College
- Graduation Rate
- 22% F
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $41,566 C
- Roughly in line with national averages
- Net Price
- $12,119 B-
- 29% less than the typical college
- Enrollment
- 7,667
Bottom line: A C overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 19.9× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $19.9 over 20 years.
Every $1 spent returns $19.9 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $916,931.
What The Data Says
-
A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Graduation of 22% — 61% below the national average.
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Every $1 invested returns $19.9 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why Northampton County Area Community College Matters
Northampton County Area Community College is a public community college in Bethlehem, PA 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
- 7,667
- Setting
- Suburban
- Designations
- HSI
- Primary Strengths
- Health Professions, Business & Marketing, Humanities, Education
Why students choose Northampton County Area 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 $12,119 a year after grants and scholarships — 29% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $41,566 ten years after enrolling — 2% above the typical college, against $15,495 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 1.1% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 69% nationally for mobility. High social capital (1.38 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
With around 7,667 students, Northampton County Area Community College attracts those looking for a practical, community-focused education. You’ll find programs in Health Professions, Business & Marketing, Humanities, Computer Science & IT, and Psychology among the most popular areas of study. This diverse range allows students to explore different fields while honing in on specific career paths that can lead to fulfilling work.
When we look at outcomes, the average earnings for graduates ten years after completing their studies is about $41,566. That gives a solid indication of the potential for financial growth after attending this college. Although the graduation rate sits at 22%, it’s important to consider that many students may be balancing work and school, which can impact their ability to finish quickly. The affordability factor is crucial here too, as students benefit from a net price of $12,119, with 40% of students receiving Pell Grants to help manage costs.
In terms of the bottom line, graduates leave with a median debt of $15,495, which is relatively manageable compared to the earnings they can expect. Those who tend to thrive here are often individuals who appreciate a supportive environment and are motivated to pursue further education or enter the workforce directly. This college can be a great stepping stone for students looking to build skills and advance their careers without being overwhelmed by debt.
Rankings
- #15 Most Affordable Colleges in Pennsylvania
- #16 Best Online Computer Science Programs in Pennsylvania
- #16 Best Online Education Programs in Pennsylvania
- #17 Best Online Nursing Programs in Pennsylvania
- #17 Best Online Criminal Justice Programs in Pennsylvania
- #19 Best Psychology Colleges in Pennsylvania
- #20 Best Online Business Programs in Pennsylvania
- #31 Best Criminal Justice Colleges in Pennsylvania
Can I Get In?
How selective Northampton County Area 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 Northampton County Area Community College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, Northampton County Area Community College enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 22%.
- Retention Rate
- 64%
- Full-Time Faculty
- 16%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $8,214
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 19:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.73
- First-Gen Students
- 48%
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 Northampton County Area Community College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Northampton County Area Community College is $15,270, 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 $12,119. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $8,986 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $15,495 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $5,550
- Out-of-State
- $15,270
- Avg Net Price
- $12,119
- Median Debt
- $15,495
- Pell Grant Rate
- 40%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 28%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $8,986
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $10,102
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $13,016
- Family Income $110K+
- $17,697
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 Northampton County Area 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 Northampton County Area Community College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Northampton County Area Community College report median earnings of $41,566, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $36,571
- 8 Years
- $38,026
- 10 Years
- $41,566
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.37x
- Earning > $25K
- 49%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (122)
- 9%
- 100% (122)
- 9%
- 100% (122)
- 9%
- 100% (122)
- 9%
How Northampton 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 Northampton County Area Community College Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Northampton County Area Community College delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $12,119/year ($48,476 total). Graduates earn $41,566 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $965,407 in total earnings — a net gain of $916,931 (19.9× your investment). The median debt is $15,495, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 22% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $48,476
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $965,407
- Net Return
- $916,931
- ROI Multiple
- 19.9×
- Cost Per Year
- $12,119
- Median Debt
- $15,495
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 22%
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 Northampton County Area Community College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Northampton County Area Community 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 1.11%, in line with strong performers nationally. About 9.1% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 12.2% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $74,900, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 1.11%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 12.2%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 9.1%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $101,763
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Investment Income
- $142,568
Top Programs
The fields Northampton County Area 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.
- Health Professions 20% $73,345 early-career
- Business & Marketing 11% $29,935 early-career
- Humanities 8%
- Education 8% $20,758 early-career
- Psychology 7%
- Computer Science & IT 7%
- Visual & Performing Arts 5% $31,026 early-career
- Culinary & Personal Services 5% $40,390 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 Northampton County Area 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 Northampton County Area Community College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, Northampton County Area Community College enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 22%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Northampton County Area Community College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Northampton County Area Community College is $15,270, 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 $12,119. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $8,986 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $15,495 in federal student loans.
Is Northampton County Area Community College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Northampton County Area Community College report median earnings of $41,566, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
Does Northampton County Area Community College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Northampton County Area Community 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 1.11%, in line with strong performers nationally. About 9.1% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 12.2% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $74,900, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Northampton County Area 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 Northampton County Area Community College. Its economic connectedness score is 1.38, 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 5% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Northampton County Area Community College.
- Los Angeles Harbor CollegeWilmington, CA · Close peer36% grad $41,133 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar size · similar net price
- Southern Maine Community CollegeSouth Portland, ME · Close peer24% grad $41,661 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Brookdale Community CollegeLincroft, NJ · Close peer29% grad $44,379 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Community College of Allegheny CountyPittsburgh, PA · Close peer24% grad $39,449 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Harrisburg Area Community CollegeHarrisburg, PA · Close peer21% grad $42,007 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Montgomery County Community CollegeBlue Bell, PA · Close peer26% grad $46,108 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Northampton County Area 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 Northampton County Area Community College. Its economic connectedness score is 1.38, 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 5% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note