At $4,443/yr net price, Blue Ridge Community and Technical College graduates earn $39,293/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $5,293/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $4,443 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $17,772 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $39,293/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$5,293/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 3.4 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 41.0% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $13,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $4,074/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $2,544/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $6,024/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $6,131/yr |
| $110,001+ | $9,747/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 | $58,823 | $18,850 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Certificate | $37,779 | |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Associate | $30,771 | $13,479 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Associate | $30,771 | $14,250 |
| Computer/Information Technology Administration and Management. | Associate | $30,366 | $13,000 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Certificate | $29,685 | |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Associate | $27,669 | |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Certificate | $24,035 | |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Associate | $23,456 | $13,000 |
The Risk Factor
41.0% of students at Blue Ridge Community and Technical College graduate within 6 years. More than half of students finish, but the dropout rate is a real factor in whether this investment pays off.
Analysis
Blue Ridge Community and Technical College keeps costs low and debt low, but the payoff depends almost entirely on which program you pick. At under $4,500 a year with median debt of $13,000, the downside risk is small. The problem is the ceiling: median earnings ten years out sit under $40,000, which barely clears what many jobs in the Martinsburg area pay without any credential at all.
Nursing is the clear winner here. The associate nursing track pays close to $59,000, roughly double what the next programs return. That gap is the single most important number on this page. If you come to Blue Ridge for nursing, finish it, and land a hospital job in the eastern West Virginia and nearby Maryland/Virginia market, the math works cleanly even with the higher $18,850 debt load that program carries.
Everything else clusters near $30,000. Medical assisting, business administration, and IT administration all land in the low-$30,000s, and the computer certificate does slightly worse at under $38,000. These pay for their low cost, but they won't move you far past a starting wage. If one of these is your plan, treat Blue Ridge as a cheap first step toward a four-year transfer, not an endpoint.
The biggest risk is the 41% graduation rate. Debt without a credential is the worst outcome, and here more than half of enrollees don't finish on time. Your low net price only pays off if you actually complete.
On price, the middle tiers are strange: families earning $30-48k pay the least at around $2,500, while those earning $48-110k pay roughly $6,000. If you're in that middle band, Blue Ridge costs more than it does for lower-income families. This school fits you if you want nursing or a cheap transfer path. Look elsewhere if you need a bachelor's-level salary straight out.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Blue Ridge Community and Technical College worth the cost?
Blue Ridge Community and Technical College offers decent value with a low net price of $4,443 per year and median debt of only $13,000. However, the 41% graduation rate means many students don't finish, and average earnings of $39,293 after 10 years are modest.
What are the best paying programs at Blue Ridge Community and Technical College?
Nursing programs at Blue Ridge Community and Technical College lead to the highest earnings at $58,823 after 10 years. Computer and information sciences graduates earn $37,779, while business and allied health programs typically result in earnings around $30,000.
How much debt do Blue Ridge Community and Technical College graduates have?
Blue Ridge Community and Technical College graduates have a median debt of $13,000, which is relatively low for higher education. The low annual cost of $4,443 helps keep borrowing manageable compared to four-year institutions.
What is the graduation rate at Blue Ridge Community and Technical College?
Blue Ridge Community and Technical College has a 41% graduation rate, meaning nearly 6 out of 10 students don't complete their programs. This completion rate is a significant risk factor when considering the return on investment.