At $7,258/yr net price, Davidson-Davie Community College graduates earn $36,337/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $2,337/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $7,258 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $29,032 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $36,337/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$2,337/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 12.4 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 42.1% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $10,500 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $6,236/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $6,268/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $7,460/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $11,686/yr |
| $110,001+ | $14,023/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 | $58,221 | $10,500 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | Associate | $35,594 | |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Certificate | $35,240 | $15,584 |
| Ground Transportation. | Certificate | $35,060 | |
| Zoology/Animal Biology. | Associate | $30,409 | |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Certificate | $30,228 | |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Associate | $27,204 | |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Associate | $26,353 | $18,617 |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services. | Certificate | $16,663 |
The Risk Factor
42.1% of students at Davidson-Davie 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
Davidson-Davie Community College gives you a low-cost entry point with one program that clearly pays off and several that don't. At just over $7,000 a year in net price and a median debt of $10,500, you're not taking on a heavy financial load. The problem is the payoff: median earnings ten years out land around the mid-$30,000s, which is close to what you'd make without the degree in this part of North Carolina.
Nursing is the reason to come here. The associate nursing program clears $58,000, roughly $23,000 more than the next program on the list, and it carries the same $10,500 debt most graduates take on. That gap is the whole story. If you can get into nursing and finish, the math works decisively in your favor.
Almost everything else is a coin flip. Health administration, criminal justice, ground transportation, and animal biology all cluster in the $30,000-$35,500 range. The criminal justice certificate is the worst deal on the list: it pays about the same as the others but saddles you with over $15,000 in debt, the highest figure here, for a shorter credential.
The biggest risk is the 42% graduation rate. More than half of students don't finish, and a partial run leaves you with debt and no credential to raise your pay.
On price, families earning under $48,000 pay around $6,200 a year, while over $110,000 pushes past $14,000. The aid heavily favors lower-income families here.
Come here for nursing, or to knock out cheap transfer credits before a four-year school. If you're eyeing the certificate programs, look hard at whether the debt is worth it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Davidson-Davie Community College worth the money?
Davidson-Davie Community College offers decent value if you choose the right program. Nursing graduates earn $58,221 annually, which justifies the $7,258 yearly cost and typical $10,500 debt load.
What are the highest paying programs at Davidson-Davie Community College?
Registered Nursing is the clear winner at Davidson-Davie Community College, with graduates earning $58,221 per year. Health and Medical Administrative Services ($35,594) and Criminal Justice ($35,240) also provide reasonable returns.
How much debt do Davidson-Davie Community College students graduate with?
Davidson-Davie Community College graduates typically owe $10,500 in student loans. This debt level is manageable for nursing graduates but creates financial strain for lower-paying programs like Zoology ($30,409).
What is the graduation rate at Davidson-Davie Community College?
Only 42% of students graduate from Davidson-Davie Community College within the expected timeframe. This low completion rate means many students leave with debt but no degree, making program choice and academic commitment critical.