At $11,889/yr net price, Carteret Community College graduates earn $33,357/yr within 10 years of enrollment.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $11,889 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $47,556 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $33,357/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | $-643/yr |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 41.5% |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $11,159/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $12,667/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $15,726/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 | $50,856 | |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Associate | $45,500 | |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Associate | $18,498 | |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services. | Certificate | $13,702 |
The Risk Factor
41.5% of students at Carteret Community 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
Carteret Community College gives you a mixed financial picture that swings hard on what you study. The median earnings ten years out sit below what a full-time minimum wage job pays in many states, which tells you the typical graduate here does not land in a high-paying field. Your outcome depends almost entirely on picking the right program.
Nursing is the clear win. A registered nursing associate degree here pays nearly three times what the general Liberal Arts and Sciences track returns, and allied health follows close behind. These two health programs are the reason to enroll. Morehead City sits on the coast with an aging population that keeps demand for nurses and allied health workers steady, so these credentials connect to real regional jobs.
The Liberal Arts associate degree and the cosmetology certificate are financial dead ends on their own. Liberal Arts pays out around $18,500, and cosmetology lands even lower. The Liberal Arts track only makes sense if you transfer to a four-year school afterward. As a terminal degree, it does not cover the roughly $12,000 a year you pay to attend.
The net price is your main risk. Families earning under $30k still pay over $11,000 a year, and the price climbs as income rises, hitting nearly $15,700 for the $48-75k band. That is real money for a two-year credential where the median payoff is weak. Add the 41.5% graduation rate, and there is a meaningful chance you pay for time here without finishing.
This school fits you if you enroll in nursing or allied health, or if you use Liberal Arts as a cheap transfer step toward a bachelor's degree. If you want cosmetology or a general associate degree as your final credential, the numbers do not work, and you should price out cheaper or higher-paying options elsewhere.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Carteret Community College worth the money?
Carteret Community College offers decent value if you pick the right program. Nursing graduates earn around $51,000 annually, which justifies the $12,000 yearly cost, but liberal arts graduates average only $18,500.
What are the best paying programs at Carteret Community College?
Nursing programs at Carteret Community College provide the strongest return, with graduates earning about $51,000 per year. Allied health programs also pay well at $45,500 annually, while cosmetology graduates earn just $13,700.
How much debt do Carteret Community College students graduate with?
At $11,889 per year, Carteret Community College costs less than most schools, but the 41% graduation rate means many students never finish their programs. Students who don't graduate often still carry debt without the credential to show for it.
Do Carteret Community College graduates get good jobs?
Job outcomes depend heavily on your major at Carteret Community College. Nursing and allied health graduates find stable work with decent pay, but liberal arts graduates earn below the national average at $18,500 annually.