Is Great Bay Community College Worth It?

Great Bay Community College gives you a mixed financial picture that hinges almost entirely on which program you pick. The median graduate earns $42,397 ten years out, which is modest, and the 30% graduation rate means most people who enroll never finish. That combination is the biggest risk here: you pay for credits and may leave without the credential that pays them back.

Nursing is the clear winner. At $59,011, the associate nursing program pays roughly $16,000 a year more than the next options and covers the median debt fast. Computer systems networking and allied health both land around $43,400, which is solid for a two-year degree in the Portsmouth area. Veterinary technology sits at the bottom near $28,800, which barely clears entry-level wages and makes the debt harder to justify. The materials engineering certificate at $32,563 is a certificate, not a degree, so treat that number accordingly.

The net price is the sharpest problem. Once your family income clears $30k, you pay $22,016 a year regardless of whether you earn $48k or over $110k. Lower-income families pay less at $16,794, but there's no scaling above that first tier, so a middle-income household pays the same rate as a wealthy one. For a two-year program that can push your total cost above $40k before you finish.

This school is a good fit for you if you're headed into nursing or a health or IT associate track and can commit to finishing. If you're drawn to veterinary technology or unsure of your path, the flat $22,016 price and low graduation rate make the math risky. Confirm your program's earnings support the debt before you enroll, and finish what you start.