At $6,073/yr net price, Edgecombe Community College graduates earn $33,267/yr within 10 years of enrollment.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $6,073 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $24,292 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $33,267/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | $-733/yr |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 57.6% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $15,917 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $4,748/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $5,507/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $9,792/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $10,565/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 | $52,464 | $14,838 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Associate | $40,017 | |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Associate | $31,133 | |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | Associate | $29,141 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Associate | $25,967 | |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Associate | $18,315 | $22,641 |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Associate | $17,282 | |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services. | Certificate | $15,552 |
The Risk Factor
57.6% of students at Edgecombe 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
Edgecombe Community College gives you a low-cost path with a wide gap between its best and worst payoffs. At just over $6,000 a year in net price and median debt under $16,000, you are not risking much money here. The problem is the median outcome: ten years out, typical earnings sit around $33,000, which is close to what a full-time job at modest wages pays without any credential at all.
The split between programs is stark. Registered Nursing is the clear winner, with associate-degree graduates earning about $52,000 a year while carrying less debt than the school's median. That is the one program where the math works cleanly in your favor. Allied Health Diagnostic and Treatment programs follow at roughly $40,000. After that, the returns thin out fast. Medical Assisting, Health and Medical Administrative Services, and Business Administration all land between $26,000 and $31,000, which barely clears the school's overall median and leaves you close to where you started.
The specific risk here is picking the wrong program. Nursing pays double what Business Administration does, so the credential you choose matters more than the school you attend. Edgecombe is in Tarboro, a rural eastern North Carolina area where healthcare jobs anchor the earnings that do exist.
This school fits you if you are aiming at nursing or diagnostic health work and want to keep debt near zero. If you are under $48,000 in family income, your net price drops to around $5,000, making a nursing path especially cheap. Above $48,000, your price nearly doubles to around $10,000, so the return matters more. If you plan to study business or general health administration, look hard at whether the modest earnings justify even this low cost.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Edgecombe Community College worth the money?
Edgecombe Community College offers solid value with a low net price of $6,073 per year and manageable debt averaging $15,917. However, the 10-year median earnings of $33,267 are below average, making this school best for students pursuing specific high-paying programs like nursing.
What are the highest paying majors at Edgecombe Community College?
Nursing programs at Edgecombe Community College lead to the strongest earnings, with registered nursing graduates earning a median of $52,464 annually. Allied health programs also perform well at $40,017, while business administration graduates earn significantly less at $25,967.
How much debt do Edgecombe Community College graduates have?
Edgecombe Community College graduates leave with a median debt of $15,917, which is reasonable for a community college. With the low annual cost of $6,073, students who complete their programs in two years can minimize borrowing.
What is the graduation rate at Edgecombe Community College?
Edgecombe Community College has a 57.6% graduation rate, which is above average for community colleges but means over 40% of students don't complete their programs. This completion risk should factor into your decision, especially for longer programs.