At $5,752/yr net price, Gaston College graduates earn $35,386/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $1,386/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $5,752 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $23,008 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $35,386/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$1,386/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 16.6 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 50.7% |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $5,170/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $5,722/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $7,190/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $8,093/yr |
| $110,001+ | $5,166/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 | $53,262 | |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants. | Certificate | $41,295 | |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Associate | $28,960 | |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Associate | $27,126 | |
| Legal Support Services. | Associate | $25,967 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Associate | $24,532 | |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | Associate | $23,869 | |
| Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions. | Associate | $23,803 | |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Associate | $20,687 | |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Associate | $19,891 |
The Risk Factor
50.7% of students at Gaston 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
Gaston College delivers solid financial returns for students who choose the right programs, with healthcare tracks leading the pack by wide margins. The nursing program graduates earn $53,262 annually, nearly double the school's overall median, while practical nursing still reaches $41,295. These healthcare programs justify the investment in a region where medical jobs remain stable.
Your program choice makes or breaks the financial outcome here. Criminal justice graduates average just $28,960, barely above what you could earn without college, while allied health and legal support programs hover around $27,000. The earnings gap between nursing and other programs is stark enough that you should seriously reconsider if healthcare does not interest you.
The 50.7% graduation rate presents real completion risk. Half of students leave without credentials, making the investment worthless. Only 26% of students receive financial aid, suggesting many families pay the full $5,752 annual cost out of pocket. This low aid rate could indicate limited grant funding or a student body that does not qualify for need-based assistance.
Gaston College works best for local students pursuing healthcare careers who can live at home and avoid housing costs. The nursing programs offer strong regional job prospects in Charlotte's expanding healthcare market. However, students considering liberal arts transfers or non-healthcare career programs should explore alternatives with better earnings outcomes. The school's value proposition collapses outside of its healthcare programs, where graduates struggle to earn significantly more than high school diploma holders in the local job market.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Gaston College worth the cost?
At $5,752 per year, Gaston College offers reasonable value for students who complete nursing programs, which lead to median earnings of $53,262. However, graduates in other programs earn significantly less, with criminal justice majors making $28,960 and legal support graduates earning $25,967.
What is the ROI for Gaston College nursing programs?
Gaston College nursing graduates earn $53,262 annually, making the nursing program one of the better investments at the school. With a net cost of about $23,000 for a two-year program, nursing students can expect positive returns within a few years of graduation.
How much debt do Gaston College students graduate with?
With a net price of $5,752 per year, Gaston College students can complete programs with relatively low debt compared to four-year colleges. However, the 50.7% graduation rate means nearly half of students may accumulate debt without completing their programs.
Which Gaston College programs have the worst job prospects?
Legal support services graduates earn just $25,967 annually, while allied health majors make $27,126. These low earnings relative to the cost make these programs questionable investments for most students.