At $6,307/yr net price, Mountain Gateway Community College graduates earn $34,293/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $293/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $6,307 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $25,228 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $34,293/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$293/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 86.1 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 45.7% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $9,182 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $5,101/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $4,978/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $7,422/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $12,865/yr |
| $110,001+ | $10,972/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 | $51,035 | |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants. | Certificate | $38,829 | |
| Precision Metal Working. | Certificate | $38,289 | |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Associate | $28,598 | |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Associate | $24,035 |
The Risk Factor
45.7% of students at Mountain Gateway 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
Mountain Gateway Community College keeps your costs low and your debt lower. At about $6,300 a year in net price and a median debt of roughly $9,200, you leave without the loan burden that sinks graduates elsewhere. The problem is what comes after: median earnings ten years out land at $34,293, which is modest even for a rural Virginia labor market.
Your program choice decides everything here. The associate in Registered Nursing pays around $51,000, more than double what the Liberal Arts associate returns at roughly $24,000. Practical Nursing and Precision Metal Working, both certificates, land near $38,000 and get you working fast. Criminal Justice sits at $28,598, below the school's own median. If you enroll in the general studies or liberal arts track without transferring to a four-year school, you are looking at the weakest financial outcome on this list.
The risks are specific. Only 46% of students finish, so the low sticker price only pays off if you actually complete. A dropout still carries whatever debt they took on with none of the nursing credential to show for it. And the strongest programs here are clinical and technical ones that demand you finish the sequence and pass licensing.
The net price tiers work in your favor if your family earns under $48,000, where you pay around $5,000 a year. That jumps sharply once household income passes $75,000, climbing past $12,000. Middle-income families see the least discount.
This school fits you if you want a nursing or skilled-trades credential with almost no debt and a job nearby. Look elsewhere if you plan to stop at a general associate degree and enter the workforce directly, because those earnings do not justify even this low a cost without a transfer plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mountain Gateway Community College worth the cost?
Mountain Gateway Community College offers reasonable value with a low net price of $6,307 annually and modest debt levels around $9,000. However, the 46% graduation rate means many students don't finish, and average earnings of $34,000 ten years later are below national averages.
What are the highest paying programs at Mountain Gateway Community College?
Nursing programs at Mountain Gateway Community College provide the best return, with registered nursing graduates earning around $51,000 and practical nursing graduates earning $39,000. Liberal arts and criminal justice programs lead to much lower earnings around $24,000-$29,000.
How much debt do Mountain Gateway Community College graduates have?
Mountain Gateway Community College graduates typically leave with $9,182 in debt, which is manageable compared to four-year schools. The low debt burden helps offset the modest earning potential for most programs.
What is the graduation rate at Mountain Gateway Community College?
Only 46% of students graduate from Mountain Gateway Community College, meaning more than half don't complete their programs. This low completion rate is a significant risk factor when considering the school's value.