At $414/yr net price, Cleveland Community College graduates earn $33,755/yr within 10 years of enrollment.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $414 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $1,656 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $33,755/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | $-245/yr |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 10.6% |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $1,095/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $1,103/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $3,456/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 | $55,964 | |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Associate | $41,565 | |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Certificate | $33,993 | |
| Precision Metal Working. | Certificate | $30,771 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Associate | $21,964 | |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Associate | $21,135 | |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | Associate | $20,596 | |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Associate | $18,771 | |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services. | Certificate | $16,663 |
The Risk Factor
10.6% of students at Cleveland 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
Cleveland Community College costs almost nothing to attend at $414 a year, which is the strongest fact in its favor. The problem is the graduation rate: barely one in ten students finishes. That gap between a near-free price and a 10.60% completion rate is the whole story here. You are not paying much, but the odds you walk away with a credential are low.
The nursing associate degree is the clear winner. At close to $56,000 ten years out, it more than doubles what the business administration associate degree returns, and it beats every other program on the list by a wide margin. Allied health lands in a solid second place. If you enroll here, nursing or allied health is where the money is. The certificate programs in criminal justice and precision metal working land in the low $30,000s, and the business associate degree sits at the bottom near $22,000, below the school's own $33,755 median. Picking that path means earning less than the typical graduate.
The main financial risk is not debt, it is dropping out. With so few students finishing, you could spend time and forgo wages without ever getting the credential that makes nursing pay off. The low price only helps if you complete.
The net price tiers barely move for families under $75,000, both paying around $1,100 a year. Above $75,000 the price jumps past $3,400, still a small number in absolute terms.
This school fits you if you are aiming squarely at nursing or allied health and can commit to finishing. If you want the business track or are unsure you will complete, the payoff thins out fast, and you should weigh other options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Cleveland Community College worth the cost?
Cleveland Community College costs just $414 per year, making it one of the most affordable options in North Carolina. However, the 10.6% graduation rate means most students don't finish their programs, which significantly reduces the value.
What programs at Cleveland Community College have the best ROI?
The nursing programs at Cleveland Community College offer the strongest return, with graduates earning around $56,000 annually. Allied health programs also pay well at $41,565, while business programs show weaker outcomes at $21,964.
Do Cleveland Community College graduates make good money?
Cleveland Community College graduates earn $33,755 ten years after starting, which is below average for community colleges. The low graduation rate of 10.6% means many students leave without credentials and likely earn less.
What is the biggest risk of attending Cleveland Community College?
The main risk is not graduating, since only about 1 in 10 students complete their programs at Cleveland Community College. Students who don't finish get little benefit despite spending time and money on courses.