At $3,494/yr net price, New River Community and Technical College graduates earn $29,073/yr within 10 years of enrollment.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $3,494 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $13,976 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $29,073/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | $-4,927/yr |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 29.9% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $7,250 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $2,578/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $2,652/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $5,654/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $5,641/yr |
| $110,001+ | $11,656/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants. | Certificate | $33,565 | $7,459 |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Associate | $31,839 | |
| Business/Commerce, General. | Associate | $28,598 | |
| Science Technologies/Technicians, Other. | Certificate | $23,351 | |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Associate | $20,140 | |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services. | Associate | $18,309 |
The Risk Factor
29.9% of students at New River Community and Technical 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
New River Community and Technical College keeps your upfront cost low, but the payoff is thin. You'll borrow little and pay a net price under $3,500 a year, yet median earnings ten years out sit close to $29,000, barely above full-time minimum wage in most states. The low debt is the main thing protecting you here, because the earnings don't do the work.
Your program choice matters more than at most schools. The Practical Nursing certificate is the clear winner, pushing past $33,000 with debt near the school median, and Allied Health and Medical Assisting lands close behind. Both are short, licensure-linked credentials that connect to real West Virginia healthcare jobs. The Liberal Arts and General Studies associate degree, at roughly $20,000, is the weakest bet on the list and only makes sense if you plan to transfer to a four-year school and finish a bachelor's elsewhere. Business and the science technician certificate fall in the middle and don't clear the nursing programs.
The biggest risk is finishing at all. A graduation rate under 30% means most people who enroll leave without a credential, and if you drop out you keep the debt without the certificate that justifies it. Low tuition doesn't help you if you never cross the finish line.
This school fits you if you live in the region, want a nursing or allied health credential, and need to keep costs near zero. If your family earns under $48,000, you'll pay roughly $2,600 a year, which makes the healthcare tracks a reasonable gamble. Above $110,000, your net price jumps past $11,600, and paying that for a general studies degree with $20,000 earnings is hard to justify. If you want a bachelor's-level career and income, treat New River as a transfer step, not a destination.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is New River Community and Technical College worth the cost?
New River Community and Technical College offers decent value with a low net price of $3,494 per year and manageable debt of $7,250. However, the 30% graduation rate is concerning, and 10-year earnings of $29,073 are modest even for a community college.
What are the best paying programs at New River Community and Technical College?
Practical Nursing leads with $33,565 in median earnings, followed by Allied Health programs at $31,839. Business graduates earn $28,598, while Liberal Arts graduates see much lower returns at $20,140.
How much debt do New River Community and Technical College graduates have?
Graduates leave with a median debt of $7,250, which is reasonable for a community college. The low cost helps keep debt manageable compared to four-year schools.
What is the graduation rate at New River Community and Technical College?
Only 30% of students graduate, which is below average even for community colleges. This low completion rate means many students leave without credentials and may still carry debt.