A new federal report reveals that Job Corps spent an average of $187,653 per graduate under traditional completion metrics, according to data released Tuesday by the U.S. Department of Labor.
The 2025 “Job Corps Transparency Report” provides a detailed analysis of the federally funded residential career training program serving low-income young adults ages 16 to 24, examining financial performance and operational costs from program year 2023.
“Taxpayers deserve to know the facts and outcomes of their multi-billion-dollar investment,” said Acting Assistant Secretary for Employment and Training Lori Frazier Bearden.
The report distinguishes between two graduation definitions: traditional program completion in good standing, which showed a 32% graduation rate, and a broader statutory definition under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), which yielded a 38% rate.
According to the analysis, Job Corps spends an average of $49,769 per enrollee regardless of length of stay, with annual costs per student averaging $80,284. Program participants earn approximately $16,695 annually after leaving the program.
The report highlighted significant cost variations among centers. The 10 least efficient programs averaged $512,800 per graduate under traditional metrics and $385,370 under WIOA standards. The top 50 least efficient programs averaged $319,085 and $252,285 per graduate respectively.
The Labor Department characterized the report as part of its commitment to program transparency and accountability, which officials described as essential for effective oversight and informed policymaking.
