Red Rocks Community College
Red Rocks Community College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Red Rocks Community College at a Glance
Red Rocks Community College (RRCC) is a public community college with two campuses located in Lakewood and Arvada, Colorado.
1969
57 years old
14,000
6,035 undergrad
99
Identity
Is Red Rocks Community College Worth It?
Red Rocks Community College offers moderate value at $9,044/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $46,288, which is 14% below average — meaning the financial payoff takes longer than typical. Students should research specific program outcomes before committing.
The investment pays for itself in just 0.8 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 35% 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.
How Red Rocks Community College compares to peer public colleges of similar tier in CO
Ranked #89 of 268 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 | Skyline College | 100 | $1,738 | $55,702 |
| #2 | South Florida State College | 100 | $3,877 | $39,990 |
| #3 | Indiana University-Kokomo | 100 | $3,968 | $49,917 |
| #4 | CUNY York College | 100 | $4,456 | $56,945 |
| #5 | Brazosport College | 100 | $4,732 | $45,910 |
| #6 | Texas A & M International University | 100 | $3,637 | $48,386 |
| #89 | Red Rocks Community College | 45 | $9,044 | $46,288 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Red Rocks 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 Red Rocks Community College
Program-level earnings data isn't available for Red Rocks 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 $9,044/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
- Lakewood, CO
- Student Body
- 4,889 students
- Graduation Rate
- 35%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $9,044
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $46,288
- Median Student Debt
- $9,500