At $124/yr net price, Coastal Pines Technical College graduates earn $30,214/yr within 10 years of enrollment.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $124 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $496 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $30,214/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | $-3,786/yr |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 45.7% |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $1,789/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical and Power Transmission Installers. | Certificate | $37,568 | |
| Precision Metal Working. | Certificate | $36,312 | |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Associate | $32,925 | |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants. | Certificate | $32,071 | |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Certificate | $30,409 | |
| Heavy/Industrial Equipment Maintenance Technologies. | Certificate | $29,141 | |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies. | Certificate | $28,366 | |
| Business Operations Support and Assistant Services. | Certificate | $20,140 | |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Certificate | $19,835 | |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services. | Certificate | $14,318 |
The Risk Factor
45.7% of students at Coastal Pines 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
Coastal Pines Technical College costs almost nothing to attend. At $124 a year in net price, tuition is not the financial risk here. The risk is what you earn after. Median earnings ten years out sit around $30,000, which is close to what many jobs in the Waycross region pay without any credential at all. So the whole calculation depends entirely on which program you pick.
The programs that pay off are the hands-on trades. Electrical and power transmission installers lead the list, and precision metal working is close behind. Both are certificates, meaning less time and less cost before you start earning, and both clear the school's overall median by six to seven thousand dollars a year. If you come here for one of these, the math works well: near-zero cost, quick credential, wages that beat the regional baseline.
Health careers are more mixed. The allied health associate degree and practical nursing certificate land in the low $30,000s. That is steady, licensed work, but it takes longer than the trade certificates and pays a few thousand less than electrical or metalworking. Choose health for the job security, not the top wage.
The main financial risk is finishing. Fewer than half of students graduate, and a certificate you never complete leaves you with lost time and no earnings bump. Pick a program you will actually finish.
Even at the $48-75k income tier, you pay under $1,800 a year, so this school is affordable across income levels. It fits you if you want a specific trade or health credential and plan to work locally. Look elsewhere if you want a bachelor's-track path or a career that pays well above $35,000, because the strongest outcomes here top out in the high $30,000s.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Coastal Pines Technical College worth the money?
With a net price of just $124 per year, Coastal Pines Technical College offers exceptional value even though graduate earnings average $30,214 annually. The extremely low cost makes it financially accessible, but the 46% graduation rate means nearly half of students don't complete their programs.
What are the highest paying programs at Coastal Pines Technical College?
Electrical and Power Transmission Installers leads with $37,568 average earnings, followed by Precision Metal Working at $36,312. These technical programs significantly outperform the school's overall graduate earnings average of $30,214.
How much debt do Coastal Pines Technical College graduates have?
The net price of $124 per year means most students graduate with minimal or no debt. This low cost structure makes Coastal Pines one of the most affordable higher education options in Georgia.
Does Coastal Pines Technical College have good job placement?
The school's 46% graduation rate indicates completion challenges, but graduates in electrical and precision metalworking programs earn above-average wages for the region. Healthcare programs show lower earnings but offer stable employment prospects.