At $39,005/yr net price, Eastern Virginia Career College graduates earn $37,304/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $3,304/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $39,005 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $156,020 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $37,304/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$3,304/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 47.2 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 80.5% |
| 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 | $39,005/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants. | Associate | $51,273 | |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Associate | $49,058 | $14,750 |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants. | Certificate | $36,221 | $14,750 |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Certificate | $22,290 | $5,928 |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services. | Certificate | $15,922 | $7,917 |
The Risk Factor
80.5% of students at Eastern Virginia Career College graduate within 6 years. Most students who start here finish their degree.
Analysis
The financial return at Eastern Virginia Career College depends almost entirely on which program you pick, and the gap between the best and worst is wide enough to change your life. The median graduate earns about $37,000 ten years out while paying a net price near $39,000 a year. That means one year of this school can cost more than a full year of median post-graduation pay, no matter your family income, since the price stays the same at the bottom income tier as everywhere else.
The associate degrees in practical nursing and medical assisting are where the money is. Both clear roughly $49,000 to $51,000, and Fredericksburg's healthcare demand supports those wages. Nursing in particular pays off, and the debt load on these programs stays manageable relative to the paycheck.
The certificates are a different story. The cosmetology certificate leaves you earning under $16,000 with almost $8,000 in debt, which does not come close to justifying the cost. The medical assisting certificate lands around $22,000. If you enroll in either of these, you are paying a high net price for a credential that produces below-poverty-level earnings.
The core risk here is the flat price. There is no discount for low-income families in the data, so a family under $30,000 pays the same $39,005 as anyone else. Median debt of $10,500 sounds modest, but several programs carry more, and the low-earning certificates make repayment hard.
This school is a good fit if you commit to the associate nursing or medical assisting track and can stomach the sticker price. If you are looking at any certificate program, especially cosmetology, look elsewhere before you take on debt against these earnings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Eastern Virginia Career College worth the cost?
With a net price of $39,005 per year and median earnings of $37,304 ten years after graduation, Eastern Virginia Career College graduates earn less than what they pay annually. The nursing programs show better returns with graduates earning around $51,000, but other programs like cosmetology yield significantly lower earnings.
What are the best paying programs at Eastern Virginia Career College?
The Practical Nursing program offers the strongest ROI with graduates earning $51,273 annually. Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services also performs well at $49,058, while cosmetology graduates earn only $15,922.
How much debt do Eastern Virginia Career College graduates have?
The median debt is $10,500, which is relatively low compared to many colleges. However, given that most graduates earn less than the annual cost of attendance, even this modest debt load can be challenging to repay.
Should I attend Eastern Virginia Career College for nursing?
The nursing programs at Eastern Virginia Career College offer solid earning potential at $51,273 annually, making them the school's best value. Other programs show weak returns relative to the high annual cost of nearly $40,000.