At $7,372/yr net price, Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College graduates earn $33,017/yr within 10 years of enrollment.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $7,372 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $29,488 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $33,017/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | $-983/yr |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 47.4% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $10,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $6,113/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $6,985/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $9,496/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $11,915/yr |
| $110,001+ | $12,908/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians. | Associate | $52,107 | $11,000 |
| Electrical and Power Transmission Installers. | Certificate | $52,107 | |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Associate | $51,993 | $12,993 |
| Electromechanical Instrumentation and Maintenance Technologies/Technicians. | Associate | $47,260 | |
| Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians. | Associate | $43,240 | $9,505 |
| Precision Metal Working. | Certificate | $38,289 | |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Associate | $37,748 | $10,500 |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions. | Associate | $32,569 | |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Associate | $31,314 | $9,850 |
| Culinary Arts and Related Services. | Associate | $28,055 |
The Risk Factor
47.4% of students at Mississippi Gulf Coast 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
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College gives you a low-cost path with a wide spread in outcomes depending on what you study. With median debt at $10,000 and a net price under $7,400 a year, you are not taking on much financial risk to enroll. But the school-wide median earnings of $33,017 ten years out tells you the typical graduate lands in modest territory, so the program you pick matters more than the diploma itself.
The payoff is concentrated in technical and health fields. Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies and the Electrical and Power Transmission certificate both clear $52,000, and Registered Nursing sits right behind at nearly $52,000. These track the Gulf Coast job market: shipbuilding, industrial maintenance, power infrastructure, and regional hospitals. Electromechanical Instrumentation and Industrial Production Technologies also land in the $43,000 to $47,000 range, which is strong for an associate degree that costs you around $9,500 in debt or less.
The main risk here is finishing and choosing well. The 47% graduation rate means close to half of enrollees leave without a credential, and if you drop out you carry cost with no earnings bump. The gap between the top programs near $52,000 and the school median near $33,000 shows that general or non-technical tracks pay far less, so an undecided path is where the money leaks.
This school fits you if you want a nursing or skilled-trades credential tied to Gulf Coast employers and want to keep debt near or below your first-year net price. If you come from a family under $30,000, your net price drops to about $6,100, making the trade programs a genuine bargain. If your family earns over $110,000, you pay closer to $12,900 a year, and the math only works if you finish one of the higher-earning programs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College worth the money?
Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College offers decent value with low tuition at $7,372 annually and manageable debt of $10,000. However, the 47% graduation rate and $33,017 average earnings after 10 years indicate mixed returns depending on your program choice.
What are the highest paying programs at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College?
Electrical and power transmission programs along with drafting/design technology lead earnings at around $52,000 annually. Nursing programs also perform well at nearly $52,000, while general programs average much lower at $33,017.
How much debt will I have after Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College?
Students typically graduate with $10,000 in debt, which is relatively low for higher education. The bigger concern is the 47% graduation rate, meaning many students leave without completing their programs.
Do Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College graduates get good jobs?
Graduates in technical fields like electrical work and nursing see strong job prospects with $50,000+ salaries. However, the overall average of $33,017 ten years after enrollment suggests many graduates struggle to find higher-paying work.