Degree Dividend
Sourced from federal dataEvery figure datedNo rankings for sale

Hudson Valley Community College vs Apex Technical School: which has better ROI?

Public, Troy NY · vs · Private nonprofit, Long Island City NY

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Hudson Valley Community College comes closer — median earnings $45,460 against a $17,002 total, vs $41,093 at Apex Technical School. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

Share
Head to head
MeasureHudson Valley Community CollegeApex Technical School
Net price / yr$8,501$14,826
Total net cost$17,002$59,304
Median earnings, 10 yrs$45,460$41,093
Median debt$10,625$9,500
Payback
20-year net return-$75,002-$204,644

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, Hudson Valley Community College or Apex Technical School?

Hudson Valley Community College, at $8,501 a year after aid versus $14,826 — a gap of $6,325 a year, or $42,302 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Hudson Valley Community College or Apex Technical School graduates earn more?

Hudson Valley Community College graduates report a median $45,460 ten years after entry, $4,367 more than the $41,093 at Apex Technical School. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.

Which leaves students with less debt, Hudson Valley Community College or Apex Technical School?

Apex Technical School: its completers carry a median $9,500 in federal loans versus $10,625 at Hudson Valley Community College, a difference of $1,125. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

78% of students finish at Apex Technical School, against 35% at Hudson Valley Community College. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.

Hudson Valley Community College vs Apex Technical School: frequently asked questions

Is Hudson Valley Community College or Apex Technical School a better value?
Hudson Valley Community College comes closer, but neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings — the field you study decides it here more than the school.
Which is cheaper, Hudson Valley Community College or Apex Technical School?
Hudson Valley Community College: $8,501/yr net price after aid versus $14,826/yr at Apex Technical School — a difference of $6,325 a year, or about $42,302 over four years.
Do Hudson Valley Community College or Apex Technical School graduates earn more?
Hudson Valley Community College graduates earn a median $45,460 ten years after entry, versus $41,093 at Apex Technical School — a $4,367 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.