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Is McHenry County College worth it?
A first pass affordability and outcome read for McHenry County, using national average inputs. Run your own numbers for a personalized score.
Worth-It Score
Stretch
McHenry County sits in the stretch band for a typical family. The long-run earnings picture at $45,143 helps, but median debt of $6,260 plus yearly net price of $7,042 creates a tighter path. For context, McHenry County's net price is about 0% above the typical 2-year, public school. It can work, but the financing plan has to be deliberate.
Is the price fair?
Compared to 791 similar 2-year, public schools
This school
$7,569
/yrAverage school like this
$7,555
/yrNet price is slightly above average
You'd pay about $14 more per year than the typical student at a similar school. Over 4 years that's roughly $0 in extra cost.
Score breakdown
The public version of the score weighs affordability, after graduation outcomes, and repayment burden.
Affordability
40% weight
The yearly net price sits in a range that leaves more room for family cash flow and lower borrowing.
Outcome
40% weight
The outcome data does not create enough margin to fully offset the cost.
Repayment
20% weight
Median debt stays in a more comfortable repayment range for a typical graduate.
The numbers behind the score
Median net price per year
$7,042
Median earnings 10 years out
$45,143
Median debt at graduation
$6,260
Graduation rate
38%
At McHenry County, a typical graduate carries about $6,260 in student debt and earns roughly $45,143 ten years after enrolling. On a standard 10-year repayment plan, that works out to about $71 per month, or 2% of pre-tax income. That sits inside a borrower comfort range for many graduates.
What this means for your family
McHenry County is a two year school in Crystal Lake, IL. For many families, the real question is not just sticker price but what this path unlocks next, whether that is direct employment, transfer, or a lower cost route into a four year degree.
Similar schools worth comparing
These schools share a similar sector, geography, or price range.
2-year
John Wood Community
Quincy, IL
Worth-It Score: 64/100
Median net price: $7,050
2-year
Black Hawk
Moline, IL
Worth-It Score: 61/100
Median net price: $6,944
2-year
City Colleges of Chicago-Malcolm X
Chicago, IL
Worth-It Score: 60/100
Median net price: $7,220
2-year
City Colleges of Chicago-Harold Washington
Chicago, IL
Worth-It Score: 60/100
Median net price: $7,397
2-year
College of DuPage
Glen Ellyn, IL
Worth-It Score: 60/100
Median net price: $7,401
Common questions about McHenry County
The median net price at McHenry County is $7,042 per year. That is the average yearly price after typical grant aid for students in the public federal data, not the published sticker price.
Get your personalized Worth-It score
National averages are a starting point. Plug in your actual aid offer, intended major, and family situation to get a score that reflects your specific picture.
Looking at community colleges options in Illinois? See the most affordable community colleges in Illinois →
The Worth-It Score weighs affordability (40%), after graduation outcomes (40%), and repayment burden (20%). Underlying data points come from publicly available federal higher education reporting. See full methodology →