Truckee Meadows Community College
Truckee Meadows Community College — Earnings vs Cost (vs National Average)
Truckee Meadows Community College at a Glance
Truckee Meadows Community College (TMCC) is a public community college and technical college in the Truckee Meadows of Reno, Nevada. The college is primarily a commuter campus with 4 locations. TMCC offers students both certificate and associate degrees. In 2015, TMCC was approved to offer two Bachelor of Applied Science degrees, one in Logistics Operations Management and the other in Emergency Management and Homeland Security. TMCC also offers bachelor’s degrees in Architecture, Career and Tech…
1971
55 years old
11,849
Identity
Is Truckee Meadows Community College Worth It?
Truckee Meadows Community College offers moderate value at $8,312/year net price. Graduates earn a median of $44,573, which is 17% 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 0.7 years — among the fastest payback periods of any college we track.
A 30% 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 Truckee Meadows Community College compares to peer public colleges of similar tier nationally
Ranked #120 of 242 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 | Indian River State College | 100 | $3,815 | $38,315 |
| #3 | Henry Ford College | 100 | $660 | $34,795 |
| #4 | Texas A & M International University | 100 | $3,637 | $48,386 |
| #5 | College of the Mainland | 100 | $1,342 | $39,639 |
| #6 | Taft College | 96 | $2,823 | $38,861 |
| #120 | Truckee Meadows Community College | 41 | $8,312 | $44,573 |
Peer group: public colleges within ±60% of Truckee Meadows Community College's student body size and within a similar academic tier (SAT ±80, admit rate ±10pp, median earnings ±25%). 1 in NV.
Best Programs at Truckee Meadows Community College
Program-level earnings data isn't available for Truckee Meadows 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 $8,312/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 NV
Quick Facts
- Institution Type
- public
- Location
- Reno, NV
- Student Body
- 7,681 students
- Graduation Rate
- 30%
- Net Price (Annual)
- $8,312
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $44,573
- Median Student Debt
- $11,000