At $13,926/yr net price, Guilford Technical Community College graduates earn $33,934/yr within 10 years of enrollment.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $13,926 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $55,704 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $33,934/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | $-66/yr |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 31.2% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $14,901 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $12,787/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $13,312/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $15,466/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $17,698/yr |
| $110,001+ | $17,774/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 | $55,211 | $11,577 |
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions. | Associate | $53,358 | $10,500 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Certificate | $45,852 | $19,000 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Associate | $42,123 | $21,933 |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR). | Associate | $41,193 | |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies. | Associate | $37,671 | $13,000 |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants. | Certificate | $33,993 | $10,500 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Associate | $33,993 | $18,500 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Associate | $33,459 | $20,000 |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Associate | $31,265 | $10,500 |
The Risk Factor
31.2% of students at Guilford Technical Community College 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
Guilford Technical Community College gives you a split outcome that depends almost entirely on your major. The median graduate earns about $34,000 ten years out, which is modest, and only 31% of students finish. Those two numbers are the frame for everything else: the credential pays if you pick the right program and actually complete it.
The health and trades programs are where the money is. Nursing graduates clear $55,000 with under $12,000 in debt, and dental support graduates land around $53,000 with even less. Both are associate degrees that cost little and return a lot, which is close to the best case for a two-year school. HVAC technicians hit $41,000, another solid trade payoff. These programs justify enrolling here on their own.
The weaker bets are easy to spot. The criminal justice certificate carries $19,000 in debt, and allied health diagnostic graduates take on nearly $22,000, both far above the campus median debt. Those two programs load you with more debt for lower pay than nursing. If you're headed into either, the math is tighter and the room for error is smaller.
The main risk is completion. With fewer than a third of students graduating, the danger is paying tuition, borrowing, and leaving without the credential that makes the earnings work. Debt without a degree is the worst outcome here, and it's the likeliest one statistically.
On price, net cost actually rises as family income climbs, from about $12,800 under $30k to roughly $17,800 above $110k. Lower-income families pay less here, though the gap between tiers is small. This school fits you if you want a specific health or trade credential and will finish it. If you're undecided or leaning toward a general certificate, look harder before you enroll.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Guilford Technical Community College worth the money?
Guilford Technical Community College offers decent value for students who complete high-paying programs like nursing ($55,211 median earnings) or dental services ($53,358). However, with a 31% graduation rate and $33,934 average earnings across all programs, many students struggle to finish or see strong returns on their $13,926 annual investment.
What are the best paying programs at Guilford Technical Community College?
Nursing programs lead with $55,211 median earnings, followed by dental support services at $53,358. HVAC technology ($41,193) and allied health programs ($42,123) also pay above the school average, while criminal justice graduates earn $45,852.
How much debt do Guilford Technical Community College graduates have?
Students graduate with a median debt of $14,901, which is manageable for high-earning programs like nursing but problematic for lower-paying fields. The debt-to-income ratio works out better for healthcare and skilled trades than for other programs.
What is the graduation rate at Guilford Technical Community College?
Only 31% of students graduate from Guilford Technical Community College. This low completion rate means many students leave with debt but no credential, making the financial risk higher than the published costs suggest.