At $6,342/yr net price, Forsyth Technical Community College graduates earn $34,139/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $139/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $6,342 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $25,368 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $34,139/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$139/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 182.5 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 27.7% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $10,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $4,030/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $4,652/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $6,026/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $11,034/yr |
| $110,001+ | $11,308/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 | $56,005 | $12,718 |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions. | Associate | $50,856 | |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Associate | $49,214 | $10,000 |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants. | Certificate | $38,289 | $9,500 |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies. | Associate | $34,526 | $9,164 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Associate | $33,993 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Associate | $31,941 | $15,177 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Associate | $29,685 | $13,611 |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Associate | $28,960 | |
| Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions. | Associate | $26,933 | $19,427 |
The Risk Factor
27.7% of students at Forsyth Technical 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
Forsyth Technical Community College is a low-cost school where your financial outcome depends almost entirely on which program you pick. The typical graduate earns near the low $30,000s a decade out, but that number hides a wide split between health programs that pay and everything else that lags.
Nursing is the clear winner. An associate degree in registered nursing gets you into the mid-$50,000s, and the roughly $12,700 in debt that comes with it is easy to service on that salary. Dental support and allied health diagnostics both land near $50,000, and allied health carries only $10,000 in debt. These three programs justify the cost on their own. Practical nursing pays less at around $38,000, but with under $10,000 in debt it still works.
Vehicle maintenance sits at the bottom of the listed programs, near the school's overall median. That's a modest return, and any program not on this list gives you no earnings data to count on. With a 27.7% graduation rate, finishing is the real risk here. Roughly seven in ten students don't complete, and dropping out with debt and no credential is the worst outcome.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families. If your household earns under $48,000, you pay under $5,000 a year. Above $75,000, the price more than doubles to around $11,000, so the value proposition weakens as income rises.
This school fits you if you're aiming for a health credential, especially nursing, and you're confident you'll finish. If you're set on a vague general track or a lower-paying technical program, the payoff is thin. Enroll for a specific job, keep your borrowing low, and finish what you start.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Forsyth Technical Community College worth the cost?
Forsyth Tech offers decent value for career-focused programs, with low tuition at $6,342 annually and manageable debt of $10,000. However, the 28% graduation rate means many students don't finish, and average earnings of $34,139 after 10 years are modest.
What are the best paying programs at Forsyth Technical Community College?
Nursing programs lead earnings at Forsyth Tech, with registered nursing graduates earning $56,005 and dental support services at $50,856. These healthcare programs offer the strongest return on investment at the school.
How much debt do Forsyth Technical Community College graduates have?
Forsyth Tech graduates carry a median debt of $10,000, which is relatively low for higher education. The bigger concern is the 28% graduation rate, meaning most students leave without completing their programs.
Do Forsyth Technical Community College graduates get good jobs?
Graduates in healthcare fields do well, but overall earnings average $34,139 ten years after starting school. This reflects the mix of programs and the fact that many students don't graduate.