At $3,834/yr net price, Haywood Community College graduates earn $34,770/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $770/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $3,834 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $15,336 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $34,770/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$770/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 19.9 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 44.1% |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $3,187/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $3,296/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $5,836/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $6,530/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 | $51,690 | |
| Forestry. | Associate | $31,848 | |
| Wildlife and Wildlands Science and Management. | Associate | $26,739 | |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | Associate | $26,353 | |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Associate | $25,967 | |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Associate | $22,681 | |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Associate | $21,052 |
The Risk Factor
44.1% of students at Haywood Community 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
Haywood Community College offers strong financial value for students who choose nursing but disappointing returns for most other programs. At $3,834 per year, the school keeps costs extremely low, but your career prospects depend heavily on your major choice.
Nursing graduates earn $51,690 annually, making it the clear winner financially and justifying the investment with solid middle-class wages. However, the school's other health programs lag significantly behind. Health administration and medical assisting graduates earn just $26,353 and $25,967 respectively, barely above the regional average despite working in healthcare.
The forestry program presents mixed results at $31,848 annually. While this exceeds the school's median earnings, forestry careers often require physical demands and may limit long-term earning growth. Wildlife management graduates face concerning financial prospects at $26,739, especially given the competitive nature of conservation jobs in western North Carolina.
Your biggest risk is the 44% graduation rate, meaning more than half of students leave without completing their programs. This creates financial danger if you accumulate debt without earning credentials. The low 31% financial aid participation rate suggests many students pay out of pocket, which reduces debt risk but may indicate limited scholarship opportunities.
Haywood works best if you live locally and can commute, keeping total costs under $8,000 for a two-year degree. The school makes financial sense for nursing students and possibly forestry majors who want to work in the region. Students interested in healthcare should strongly consider nursing over the lower-paying health administration or medical assisting tracks. If you want wildlife management or need significant financial aid, you should explore other options.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Haywood Community College worth the money?
At $3,834 per year, Haywood Community College offers decent value if you complete your program. The nursing programs lead to $51,690 salaries, making them worthwhile investments, but other programs like wildlife management pay only $26,739 annually.
What is the graduation rate at Haywood Community College?
Haywood Community College has a 44% graduation rate, meaning over half of students don't finish their programs. This creates real risk of accumulating debt without earning a credential.
Which Haywood Community College programs have the best job prospects?
The registered nursing program at Haywood Community College offers the strongest return, with graduates earning $51,690 annually. Forestry pays $31,848, while other health programs typically start around $26,000.
How much debt do Haywood Community College students typically have?
With a net price of $3,834 annually, Haywood Community College students face relatively low costs compared to four-year schools. However, the 44% graduation rate means many students may accumulate debt without completing their programs.