Front Range Community College
Front Range Community College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Front Range Community College at a Glance
Front Range Community College (FRCC) is a public community college with three campuses in Colorado, located in Westminster, Longmont, and Fort Collins. It is the largest community college in Colorado and the most popular transfer institution for the University of Colorado Boulder, Colorado State University, Metropolitan State University of Denver, and CSU Global. The average class size at FRCC is around 15 students.
1968
58 years old
27,700
235
Identity
Is Front Range Community College Worth It?
At a value score of 29/100, Front Range Community College is a below-average value relative to its cost. Graduates earn $45,910 — 15% below average — while paying $13,031/year. Consider alternatives with better earnings-to-cost ratios.
The investment pays for itself in just 1.1 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 33% graduation rate is a serious red flag — fewer than 3 in 10 students finish. Those who don't graduate may still carry student debt without the higher-earning credential to show for it.
Bottom line: consider whether the specific program you're interested in at Front Range Community College has outcomes that justify the cost — the institution-wide numbers suggest caution.
How Front Range Community College compares to peer public colleges of similar tier in CO
Ranked #191 of 231 on value score. Peers are matched by size, median earnings, SAT, and admission rate — not just geography.
| Rank | College | Value | Net price / yr | Median earnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| #1 | Foothill College | 100 | $7,653 | $57,072 |
| #2 | Modesto Junior College | 100 | $2,818 | $42,368 |
| #3 | Skyline College | 100 | $1,738 | $55,702 |
| #4 | Indian River State College | 100 | $3,815 | $38,315 |
| #5 | Henry Ford College | 100 | $660 | $34,795 |
| #6 | CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice | 100 | $3,203 | $56,195 |
| #191 | Front Range Community College | 29 | $13,031 | $45,910 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Front Range Community College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 8 in CO.
Best Programs at Front Range Community College
Program-level earnings data isn't available for Front Range Community College. When evaluating whether to attend, research outcomes for your specific major using the Department of Education's College Scorecard or ask the admissions office for placement rates.
As a general rule: STEM, nursing, accounting, and computer science programs tend to deliver the strongest ROI regardless of institution. Humanities and arts programs can still be worthwhile, but require more intentional career planning to achieve financial payoff.
Return on Investment
Estimated 4-Year Cost
Based on $13,031/yr net price × 4 years
Earnings Premium
vs. national average of $53,787/yr
Payback Period
Time to recoup the total cost through higher earnings
10-Year Net Gain
Median earnings over 10 years minus total cost of attendance
Similar Colleges in CO
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Westminster, CO
- Student Body
- 11,476 students
- Graduation Rate
- 33%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $13,031
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $45,910
- Median Student Debt
- $12,251