Palo Alto College— Earnings & Cost Trends
Graduate Earnings
$37,448
in 2021+24% since 2008
Median Graduate Earnings Over Time
Net Price (Annual Cost) Over Time
Graduation Rate Over Time
Key Insights
- •Earnings grew 24% since 2008 — graduates are earning more over time
- •Net price increased 36% since 2010 — costs are rising faster than inflation
- •Graduation rate improved by 30 percentage points since 1998
Year-by-Year Data
| Year | Earnings | Net Price | Grad Rate | Debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1998 | — | — | 3% | $2,625 |
| 1999 | — | — | 5% | $2,625 |
| 2000 | — | — | 3% | $2,625 |
| 2001 | — | — | 3% | $2,625 |
| 2002 | — | — | 5% | $2,625 |
| 2003 | — | — | 8% | $2,625 |
| 2004 | — | — | 7% | $2,625 |
| 2005 | — | — | 6% | $2,625 |
| 2006 | — | — | 6% | $2,625 |
| 2007 | — | — | 6% | $2,625 |
| 2008 | $30,200 | — | 6% | $3,230 |
| 2009 | — | — | 6% | $3,500 |
| 2010 | $30,100 | $3,289 | 8% | $3,500 |
| 2011 | — | $2,966 | 8% | $3,500 |
| 2012 | $28,800 | $3,303 | 8% | $4,500 |
| 2013 | $27,800 | $3,733 | 9% | $4,500 |
| 2014 | $28,200 | $4,068 | 13% | $4,500 |
| 2015 | $30,000 | $5,214 | 16% | $4,750 |
| 2016 | — | $6,195 | 19% | $5,000 |
| 2017 | — | $6,342 | 24% | $5,500 |
| 2018 | — | $6,483 | 26% | $5,888 |
| 2019 | — | $3,754 | 34% | $5,500 |
| 2020 | — | $4,986 | 30% | $5,500 |
| 2021 | $37,448 | $5,601 | 29% | $6,779 |
| 2022 | — | $4,675 | 33% | — |
| 2023 | — | $5,000 | 26% | — |
| 2024 | — | $4,374 | 34% | — |
| 2025 | — | $4,463 | 33% | — |