St Charles Community College
#3 Most Affordable Colleges in Missouri- Graduation Rate
- 24% F
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $42,422 C
- Roughly in line with national averages
- Net Price
- $5,837 A
- 66% less than the typical college
- Enrollment
- 5,017
Bottom line: A C+ overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 42.6× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $42.6 over 20 years. Ranked #3 in Most Affordable Colleges in Missouri.
Every $1 spent returns $42.6 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $970,323.
What The Data Says
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A C+ overall — outcomes above the typical U.S. college.
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Graduation of 24% — 58% below the national average.
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Every $1 invested returns $42.6 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
Why St Charles Community College Matters
St Charles Community College is a public community college in Cottleville, 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
- 5,017
- Setting
- Suburban
- Primary Strengths
- Humanities, Health Professions, Business & Marketing, Computer Science & IT
Why students choose St Charles 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 $5,837 a year after grants and scholarships — 66% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $42,422 ten years after enrolling — 4% above the typical college, against $6,187 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Strong cross-class social capital — an economic-connectedness score of 1.52 (Opportunity Insights).
See mobility →Overview
With an enrollment of about 5,017 students, St. Charles Community College in Cottleville, MO, serves as a solid option for those looking to dive into fields like Humanities, Health Professions, Computer Science & IT, Business & Marketing, and Visual & Performing Arts. It's particularly suitable for individuals seeking a smaller campus environment that supports diverse academic interests. The focus here is on practical skills and career readiness, making it a good choice for students who want to gain a foothold in their chosen professions without a lengthy commitment.
After graduation, students can expect a median earning of $42,422 within ten years. This number gives a glimpse into the financial landscape that awaits graduates. While the graduation rate stands at 24%, which might raise some questions, it's important to consider that many students are likely balancing work and other commitments. This school is also relatively affordable, with a net price of $5,837 after aid and a median debt of $6,187, which is manageable for many students aiming to enter the workforce quickly.
In terms of affordability, St. Charles Community College is designed for those looking to minimize debt while maximizing educational opportunity. With a significant portion of the student body receiving Pell Grants, the financial support is aimed at making college more accessible. Students who tend to thrive here are often those who are self-motivated and looking for a pathway that allows them to build their careers without the burden of overwhelming student debt. This community college offers a practical stepping stone for those ready to enter the workforce with a degree or certification in hand.
Rankings
- #3 Most Affordable Colleges in Missouri
- #27 Best Computer Science Colleges in Missouri
- #27 Best Data Science Colleges in Missouri
- #34 Best Education Colleges in Missouri
- #39 Best Nursing Colleges in Missouri
- #41 Best Online Colleges in Missouri
- #41 Best Business Colleges in Missouri
- #44 Best Colleges in Missouri
Can I Get In?
How selective St Charles 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 St Charles Community College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Cottleville, Missouri, St Charles Community College enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 24%.
- Retention Rate
- 63%
- Full-Time Faculty
- 24%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $8,555
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 19:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.54
- First-Gen Students
- 42%
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 St Charles Community College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at St Charles Community College is $6,096, 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 $5,837. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $3,436 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $6,187 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $3,048
- Out-of-State
- $6,096
- Avg Net Price
- $5,837
- Median Debt
- $6,187
- Pell Grant Rate
- 25%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 6%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $3,436
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $4,407
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $7,698
- Family Income $110K+
- $9,348
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Graduate Outcomes
Is St Charles Community College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of St Charles Community College report median earnings of $42,422, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $37,087
- 8 Years
- $39,248
- 10 Years
- $42,422
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.15x
- Earning > $25K
- 54%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (127)
- 11%
- 100% (127)
- 11%
- 100% (127)
- 11%
- 100% (127)
- 11%
How St Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
College ROI Calculator
Is St Charles Community College Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, St Charles Community College delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $5,837/year ($23,348 total). Graduates earn $42,422 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $993,671 in total earnings — a net gain of $970,323 (42.6× your investment). The median debt is $6,187, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 24% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $23,348
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $993,671
- Net Return
- $970,323
- ROI Multiple
- 42.6×
- Cost Per Year
- $5,837
- Median Debt
- $6,187
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 24%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Endowment
- $97,328
- Investment Income
- $126,155
Top Programs
The fields St Charles Community College awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Each links to its degree guide — with salary, growth, and the schools with the strongest outcomes.
- Humanities 50%
- Health Professions 14%
- Business & Marketing 9%
- Computer Science & IT 5%
- Education 4%
- Visual & Performing Arts 4%
- Engineering 2%
- Culinary & Personal Services 2%
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for St Charles 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
- CPetroleum Engineer$135,690 · 2% growthResilient 72
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into St Charles Community College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
As a public institution in Cottleville, Missouri, St Charles Community College enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 24%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend St Charles Community College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at St Charles Community College is $6,096, 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 $5,837. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $3,436 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $6,187 in federal student loans.
Is St Charles Community College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of St Charles Community College report median earnings of $42,422, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
How Connected Is St Charles 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 St Charles Community College. Its economic connectedness score is 1.52, 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 8% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to St Charles Community College.
- Mercer County Community CollegeWest Windsor, NJ · Close peer23% grad $43,264 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Clackamas Community CollegeOregon City, OR · Close peer23% grad $42,886 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- City Colleges of Chicago-Wilbur Wright CollegeChicago, IL · Close peer32% grad $41,625 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Northern Essex Community CollegeHaverhill, MA · Close peer20% grad $42,862 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- New Mexico State University-Dona AnaLas Cruces, NM · Close peer17% grad $39,067 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- CUNY Hostos Community CollegeBronx, NY · Close peer17% grad $40,485 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is St Charles 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 St Charles Community College. Its economic connectedness score is 1.52, 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 8% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note