At $6,031/yr net price, New River Community College graduates earn $40,025/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $6,025/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $6,031 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $24,124 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $40,025/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$6,025/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 4 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 43.8% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $9,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $4,844/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $5,329/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $7,776/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $9,013/yr |
| $110,001+ | $11,685/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical/Electronics Maintenance and Repair Technology. | Associate | $57,995 | $9,000 |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Associate | $50,161 | $10,500 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Associate | $41,025 | |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants. | Certificate | $35,060 | |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Associate | $32,569 | |
| Precision Metal Working. | Certificate | $28,960 | |
| Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians. | Certificate | $28,236 | |
| Business Operations Support and Assistant Services. | Associate | $23,456 | |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Associate | $21,508 | $9,500 |
The Risk Factor
43.8% of students at New River 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
New River Community College gives you a low-cost, low-debt path with returns that depend heavily on what you study. At roughly $6,000 a year in net price and $9,000 in median debt, you graduate owing less than one year of typical earnings. That low debt load is the strongest financial argument for this school, and it holds even if your degree doesn't lead to a high-paying job.
Your major decides everything here. Electrical/electronics maintenance and repair pays nearly $58,000 and carries the same $9,000 debt as the median, which makes it the clear financial winner. Registered nursing follows close behind and covers a stable regional job market. Business administration lands in the middle. Computer and information sciences is the weak spot: it pays the least of the listed programs, below the school-wide median earnings, so a tech associate here may not pay off the way the trade and nursing tracks do.
The main risk is the 43.8% graduation rate. If you don't finish, you still owe money without the credential that makes these salaries possible, and more than half of students don't complete on the measured timeline. The other risk is picking a program that doesn't clear the median earnings line.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families. If your family earns under $30,000, you pay under $5,000 a year. over $110,000 and you pay more than double that. This school fits you well if you want a specific trade or nursing credential and plan to work in the New River Valley region. If you want a four-year degree or a career in software, treat this as a cheap transfer starting point or look elsewhere.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is New River Community College worth the money?
New River Community College offers decent value with a low net price of $6,031 per year and median debt of only $9,000. However, the 44% graduation rate means many students don't finish, and average earnings of $40,025 after 10 years are modest.
What are the best paying programs at New River Community College?
Electrical/Electronics Maintenance and Repair Technology leads with $57,995 in earnings, followed by Registered Nursing at $50,161. These technical programs offer the strongest return on investment at New River Community College.
How much debt do New River Community College graduates have?
New River Community College graduates carry a median debt of $9,000, which is relatively low for higher education. The affordable tuition helps keep borrowing minimal compared to four-year institutions.
What is the graduation rate at New River Community College?
Only 44% of students graduate from New River Community College. This low completion rate means over half of enrolled students leave without finishing their programs.