At $16,465/yr net price, Alamance Community College graduates earn $34,241/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $241/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $16,465 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $65,860 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $34,241/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$241/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 273.3 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 29.5% |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $18,278/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $15,498/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $15,938/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $6,891/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Associate | $54,646 | |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions. | Associate | $41,565 | |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Associate | $33,993 | |
| Precision Metal Working. | Associate | $32,925 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Associate | $31,848 | |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions. | Certificate | $30,650 | |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Associate | $27,679 | |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | Associate | $26,739 | |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Associate | $25,194 | |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Associate | $23,207 |
The Risk Factor
29.5% of students at Alamance Community College graduate within 6 years. Fewer than half of students complete their degree. If you don't graduate, the financial investment may not pay off.
Analysis
Alamance Community College gives you a mixed financial picture that depends almost entirely on which program you pick. The typical graduate earns $34,241 a year a decade after enrolling, which is low, and the 29.5% graduation rate means most people who start here don't finish. That combination is the core risk: you pay for time you may not convert into a credential.
Nursing is the clear win. At $54,646, the associate nursing program pays roughly $20,000 more per year than the school's median and stands well above every other program here. Medical laboratory science follows at $41,565, also solidly above the median. These are the two programs where the math works cleanly.
The rest pay off weakly. Criminal justice, precision metal working, and business administration all land in the low $30,000s, barely above the school-wide median and close to what many jobs pay without a credential at all. If you enroll in one of these, the degree needs to open a specific local door, or the return is thin.
The net price is the other problem. Community colleges usually run cheap, but here you pay $16,465 a year, and lower-income families pay more, not less. If your family earns under $30,000, you're looking at over $18,000 a year, while families in the $75,000-$110,000 band pay under $7,000. That inversion means the students with the least room to absorb debt carry the heaviest cost.
This school is a good fit for you if you're committed to nursing or medical lab work and can finish. If you're aiming at business, criminal justice, or a trade, price out the specific job you want first, because the earnings here don't clearly beat the cost. Lower-income families especially should compare net prices at other North Carolina community colleges before committing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Alamance Community College worth the cost?
Alamance Community College has mixed value with a net price of $16,465 annually and median earnings of $34,241 ten years after graduation. The nursing programs offer strong returns at $54,646, but many other programs lead to earnings barely above the poverty line.
What are the best paying programs at Alamance Community College?
Registered Nursing graduates earn the highest at $54,646 annually, followed by Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science at $41,565. Most other programs, including Business Administration and Criminal Justice, produce much lower earnings around $32,000-$34,000.
How much debt will I have after Alamance Community College?
With a net price of $16,465 per year and a 29.5% graduation rate, many students either accumulate debt without finishing or take longer than expected to complete programs. Those who don't graduate in nursing or lab science face significant debt relative to their earning potential.
Should I choose Alamance Community College over a four-year school?
Alamance Community College makes financial sense only if you complete one of the higher-paying programs like nursing or lab science. For general business or criminal justice, the low graduation rate and modest earnings may not justify even the community college cost.