At $970/yr net price, George C Wallace State Community College-Selma graduates earn $31,598/yr within 10 years of enrollment.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $970 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $3,880 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $31,598/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | $-2,402/yr |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 39.1% |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $497/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $1,645/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $3,753/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $8,060/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 | $56,087 | |
| Precision Metal Working. | Certificate | $29,685 | |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Associate | $21,052 | |
| Business Operations Support and Assistant Services. | Associate | $20,140 |
The Risk Factor
39.1% of students at George C Wallace State Community College-Selma 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
George C Wallace State Community College-Selma runs on near-free tuition, and that changes the whole calculation. At under $1,000 a year net, even the school's low median earnings clear the bar, because you are risking almost no money to get there. The question here is not whether you can afford it, but which program you pick.
Nursing is the reason to come. The associate nursing track earns nearly triple what the general studies and business support tracks pay, and it clears the school's overall median by a wide margin. If you enroll and do not go into nursing, your expected payoff drops sharply. Precision Metal Working, a certificate, lands in the middle and ties to Selma-area manufacturing and skilled trades, so it can hold up locally.
The weak spots are clear. Liberal Arts and General Studies and Business Operations Support both land near the low $20,000s, which is close to what you might earn without the degree. Those tracks make sense as a transfer step toward a four-year school, but as terminal degrees they do not pay. Treat them as a bridge, not a destination.
The real risk is the 39% graduation rate. Six in ten students do not finish, and a partial nursing program does not get you the nursing salary. The low cost cushions this, but your time is still on the line.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families most. Under $30k, you pay about $497 a year. at $75-110k, it jumps to $8,060. If your family lands in that top band, run the math against a nearby transfer plan, since the discount that makes this school a bargain shrinks as income rises.
Come here for nursing, or come here to transfer cheaply. If you want a four-year credential in something else, this is a first step, not the finish line.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is George C Wallace State Community College-Selma worth the cost?
With a net price of just $970 per year and nursing graduates earning $56,087 annually, the school offers strong ROI for healthcare programs. However, the 39% graduation rate means many students don't complete their programs.
Which programs at George C Wallace State Community College-Selma have the best job prospects?
Registered nursing and nursing administration programs lead to the highest earnings at $56,087 annually. Precision metalworking also pays well at $29,685, while liberal arts graduates earn significantly less at $21,052.
What are the biggest risks of attending George C Wallace State Community College-Selma?
The low 39% graduation rate means 6 out of 10 students don't finish their programs. Students in liberal arts and business support programs face limited earning potential after graduation.
How much debt do George C Wallace State Community College-Selma students typically have?
The extremely low net price of $970 per year means most students graduate with minimal debt. This makes the school financially accessible even for students from low-income families.