At $5,416/yr net price, Cape Fear Community College graduates earn $38,654/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $4,654/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $5,416 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $21,664 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $38,654/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$4,654/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 4.7 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 33.5% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $9,500 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $3,857/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $4,647/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $5,301/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $13,137/yr |
| $110,001+ | $13,464/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Precision Metal Working. | Associate | $72,899 | |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Associate | $53,775 | |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions. | Associate | $51,273 | |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Associate | $41,406 | |
| Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences. | Associate | $39,927 | |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Certificate | $39,648 | |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Associate | $38,289 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Associate | $34,704 | |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | Associate | $27,222 | |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Associate | $22,874 | $8,000 |
The Risk Factor
33.5% of students at Cape Fear 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
Cape Fear Community College keeps costs low, and that low cost is the foundation of its financial case. With median debt under $10,000 and a net price around $5,400 a year, you can finish here without the loan burden that sinks many students. The problem is what comes after: median earnings ten years out sit below $39,000, and the 33.5% graduation rate means two out of three students who start don't finish.
Your major decides everything here. Precision Metal Working leads by a wide margin, paying nearly $73,000 for an associate degree, and its graduates out-earn the school's typical student by more than $34,000 a year. Registered Nursing and Dental Support Services also clear $50,000. These are the programs that turn a cheap credential into real money in the Wilmington job market. Geological and Earth Sciences, by contrast, lands near the school median at just under $40,000, so the associate degree there does little to lift your pay.
The main financial risk is not finishing. A low net price only pays off if you leave with the credential, and here most students don't. Pick a program with weak earnings and drop out partway, and you've spent money and time for a wage close to where you started.
If you're headed into the metal trades, nursing, or dental support, this is a strong bet, and the low debt makes the math work. If your family earns under $48,000, your net price drops below $4,700, which makes the risk easier to carry. Above $75,000, the price roughly doubles to over $13,000 a year, so weigh that against the specific program you plan to enter. If you want a general associate degree without a clear career target, the payoff here is thin.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cape Fear Community College worth the cost?
Cape Fear Community College offers strong value with a low net price of $5,416 per year and median debt of only $9,500. However, the 33.5% graduation rate means many students don't finish, and average earnings of $38,654 after 10 years are modest compared to four-year schools.
What are the highest paying programs at Cape Fear Community College?
Precision Metal Working leads with $72,899 average earnings, followed by nursing programs at $53,775. These technical and healthcare programs offer the best return on investment at Cape Fear Community College.
How much debt do Cape Fear Community College graduates have?
Cape Fear Community College graduates carry a median debt of $9,500, which is relatively low for higher education. The combination of low tuition costs and two-year program length helps keep borrowing minimal.
What is the graduation rate at Cape Fear Community College?
Only 33.5% of students graduate from Cape Fear Community College within the expected timeframe. This low completion rate means many students leave without credentials and may still carry debt from their time enrolled.