At $4,181/yr net price, Eastern Gateway Community College graduates earn $34,127/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $127/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $4,181 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $16,724 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $34,127/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$127/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 131.7 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 29.7% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $4,250 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $3,559/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $3,743/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $5,289/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $5,098/yr |
| $110,001+ | $5,766/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 | $56,234 | |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General. | Associate | $38,289 | |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Associate | $37,856 | |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Associate | $21,508 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Associate | $21,052 | |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | Associate | $20,140 | |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Associate | $17,674 |
The Risk Factor
29.7% of students at Eastern Gateway 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
Eastern Gateway Community College keeps your costs low and your debt lower, but the payoff depends heavily on what you study. At around $4,181 a year with median debt of $4,250, you can finish without a loan burden that follows you around. The catch is the median graduate earns about $34,000 a decade out, and only about three in ten students finish at all.
Nursing is the clear win here. The associate nursing track pulls in over $56,000, more than any other program and roughly $18,000 above the next-best health field. If you can get into and complete nursing, this school pays off fast given how little you spend. The general and diagnostic allied health associate degrees land in the high $30,000s, which is solid for the price.
The bottom of the list should stop you. The teacher education and business administration associate degrees report earnings around $21,000, below what the typical graduate here makes and close to entry-level wages you could earn without the degree. If either of those is your plan, the return does not justify even this school's small cost, and you should look at where an associate leads before enrolling.
The main financial risk is the 29.7% graduation rate. Cheap tuition only pays off if you finish, and most students here do not. Starting and stopping leaves you with a partial bill and no credential to show for it.
Net price barely moves with income. If your family makes under $48,000, you pay under $3,800. higher earners pay closer to $5,300 to $5,800. The gap is small either way, so this is an affordable option across income levels. It fits you best if you enter the nursing or allied health tracks and are confident you will graduate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Eastern Gateway Community College worth the money?
Eastern Gateway offers decent value with a low net price of $4,181 per year and minimal debt averaging $4,250. However, the 29.7% graduation rate is concerning, and 10-year earnings of $34,127 are below average for college graduates.
What programs at Eastern Gateway Community College have the best ROI?
Nursing programs provide the strongest return, with registered nursing graduates earning around $56,234 annually. Health services programs also perform well at $38,289, while education and business programs lag significantly with earnings in the low $20,000s.
How much debt do Eastern Gateway Community College students typically graduate with?
Students graduate with relatively low debt, averaging $4,250. The school's affordable tuition helps keep borrowing minimal compared to four-year institutions.
What is the graduation rate at Eastern Gateway Community College?
Only 29.7% of students graduate from Eastern Gateway Community College. This low completion rate means many students leave without credentials, making the investment risky despite the low cost.