At $7,523/yr net price, Great Basin College graduates earn $39,289/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $5,289/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $7,523 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $30,092 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $39,289/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$5,289/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 5.7 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 51.5% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $15,750 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $7,125/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $5,828/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $8,529/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $9,665/yr |
| $110,001+ | $12,010/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. | Bachelor | $70,009 | |
| Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians. | Associate | $64,493 | |
| Electrical Engineering Technologies/Technicians. | Associate | $40,467 | |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Associate | $28,598 |
The Risk Factor
51.5% of students at Great Basin 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
Great Basin College gives you a low-cost entry point with one clear financial winner and a lot of uncertainty around everything else. You borrow little here, and your debt at graduation stays well under what a single year of median earnings brings in. That low debt load is the main thing protecting you from a bad outcome.
Nursing is the program that pays. A bachelor's in registered nursing here lands around $70,000, nearly double the school's median earnings across all graduates. If you come to Great Basin for nursing, the math works cleanly: cheap tuition, a credential that maps directly to Nevada's healthcare demand in Elko and the surrounding rural counties, and pay that clears your debt fast. That's the reason to enroll.
Outside nursing, the picture is thin. The typical graduate earns under $40,000 ten years out, which tells you most paths here do not lead to nursing-level pay. No other bachelor-level program shows strong earnings in the data, so if you enroll undecided or in a general track, plan for modest returns.
The bigger risk is finishing at all. Barely half of students graduate, and only 57% return after their first year. If you drop out, you keep the debt without the credential, and Elko's economy leans on mining and services that reward completed degrees. Your ROI depends heavily on you actually finishing.
Net price barely moves with income, running roughly $7,000 for the lowest earners and about $12,000 for families over $110,000. Middle-income families in the $30-48k band actually pay the least, under $6,000. For low- and middle-income families targeting nursing, this is a strong financial fit. If you want a broad set of high-paying majors, look elsewhere.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Great Basin College worth the money?
Great Basin College offers a low net price at $7,523 per year, but graduates earn only $39,289 annually after 10 years. The ROI depends heavily on your program choice, with nursing and engineering technology majors earning significantly more than liberal arts graduates.
What are the best paying majors at Great Basin College?
Registered nursing leads at $70,009 annually, followed by mechanical engineering technology at $64,493. Liberal arts graduates earn just $28,598, making program selection critical for financial outcomes.
How much debt do Great Basin College students graduate with?
The median debt is $15,750, which is manageable compared to many schools. However, with average earnings of $39,289, some graduates may struggle with loan payments depending on their major.
What is Great Basin College's graduation rate?
Great Basin College has a 51.5% graduation rate, meaning nearly half of students don't finish their degree. This completion risk should factor into your decision, especially given the modest earning potential for most programs.