99.9 KEKB - Grand Junction's Favorite Country logo
Enter your number to get our free mobile app

A community college in Colorado has been ranked by Newsweek as one of the top five in the United States when it comes to graduates who earn the most money.

Colorado Northwestern Community College, with campuses in Craig and Rangely, picked up a little national exposure. The institution made Newsweek’s Top 50 community college’s list.

Where did Newsweek get their data? The info comes from Stacker's report on community colleges whose graduates earn the most money. Okay, so where did Stacker get their data? That comes from the website payscale.com.

How much does a CNCC student pull in? According to the Craig Daily Press, CNCC’s mid-career paychecks come in at $78,100, with early-career pay averaging approximately $56,000 annually.

Newsweek's findings reflect the trend where many college-bound students choose to pursue options other than four-year institutions. The "Tuition and Costs" section of CNCC's webpage states, "Anytime you can receive a quality education at an affordable price, you know you need to take a serious look."

According to cncc.edu, both the Rangely campus and Craig campus serve roughly 350 students. The Rangely campus is well known for its Aviation Technology and Dental Hygiene programs. The Craig campus has come to be known for its Early Childhood Education and Emergency Medical Services courses.

So, how much would it cost to attend CNCC for a year? Looking at the Tuition-and-Costs page, the costs are as follows:

  • Colorado Residents (after COF) - $13,784.70 - $16,332.70
  • Special Out-of-State (WUE) - $16,076 - $18,624.70
  • Out of State Residents - $17,677 - $20,225.00

I don't have children, but if I did, serious consideration would be given to either trade schools or a two-year community college. The professions targeted by such institutions appear to be wide open, offering great pay and benefits. Looking at the numbers above, it appears as though annual tuition costs are less than the average cost of a single semester at a four-year college.

Congratulations are in order for Colorado Northwestern Community College. The ranking by Newsweek is a tremendous honor.

READ MORE: See 50 remote jobs that can pay well

More From 99.9 KEKB - Grand Junction's Favorite Country