At $14,042/yr net price, George C Wallace State Community College-Hanceville graduates earn $39,842/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $5,842/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $14,042 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $56,168 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $39,842/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$5,842/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 9.6 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 48.2% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $11,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $12,407/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $13,233/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $15,606/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $17,996/yr |
| $110,001+ | $18,676/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 | $48,988 | $13,124 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Associate | $42,682 | $13,000 |
| Engineering Technology, General. | Associate | $38,289 | |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions. | Associate | $36,437 | $8,750 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | Associate | $36,041 | |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Associate | $35,772 | $9,771 |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions. | Associate | $33,993 | $10,750 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Certificate | $32,925 | $7,944 |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies. | Certificate | $29,141 | |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Associate | $24,267 | $9,991 |
The Risk Factor
48.2% of students at George C Wallace State Community College-Hanceville 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
George C Wallace State Community College-Hanceville delivers solid returns for specific career paths while presenting significant financial risks for others. The median graduate earns $39,842 ten years after enrollment, which provides reasonable returns on the $14,042 annual net price, but nearly half of students never complete their programs.
Nursing students see the strongest financial outcomes at $48,988 in median earnings, making the $13,124 debt load manageable. Allied health diagnostic programs also deliver solid returns at $42,682 annually. Engineering technology graduates earn $38,289, though this falls short of what similar programs typically produce at four-year schools. Dental support services and health administration programs generate more modest returns around $36,000.
The 48% graduation rate creates substantial financial risk. You face a coin-flip chance of completing your program, and dropouts typically carry debt without the credentials needed for higher wages. This makes program selection critical at Wallace State.
You should consider Wallace State if you plan to enter nursing or allied health fields and can commit fully to completion. The school makes financial sense for career changers seeking specific technical skills or traditional students planning to transfer after completing core requirements. However, you should look elsewhere if you lack clear career direction or struggle with self-motivation, given the high dropout risk.
Financial aid reaches only 32% of students, suggesting limited need-based assistance. Focus on completing your program quickly to minimize costs and maximize your return on this investment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is George C Wallace State Community College-Hanceville worth the money?
With a net price of $14,042 and median earnings of $39,842 after 10 years, the school offers decent value for healthcare programs but weaker returns for other fields. The 48% graduation rate means about half of students don't finish.
What are the highest paying programs at George C Wallace State Community College-Hanceville?
Registered nursing graduates earn around $48,988 annually, making it the best ROI program at the school. Allied health diagnostic programs ($42,682) and engineering technology ($38,289) also provide solid returns compared to the cost.
How much debt do students graduate with from George C Wallace State Community College-Hanceville?
The median debt is $11,000, which is manageable for nursing and allied health graduates but could be problematic for lower-earning programs. Students in healthcare fields can typically handle this debt load given their earning potential.
Does George C Wallace State Community College-Hanceville have good job prospects after graduation?
Job prospects depend heavily on your program choice - nursing and healthcare graduates find steady work with decent pay, but other programs may struggle to justify the investment. The school's strength is clearly in healthcare training rather than general education.