At $7,847/yr net price, Pamlico Community College graduates earn $30,005/yr within 10 years of enrollment.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $7,847 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $31,388 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $30,005/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | $-3,995/yr |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 47.1% |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $7,921/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $5,896/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $9,648/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Associate | $24,035 |
The Risk Factor
47.1% of students at Pamlico 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
Pamlico Community College comes with a low sticker price and low payoff. You pay $7,847 a year, and ten years after enrolling the median graduate earns about $30,000. That earnings figure sits close to what many jobs pay without any credential, so the financial return here is weak in absolute terms. The saving grace is cost: a two-year associate program keeps your total spending and debt small, which limits how much you can lose.
The one program with reported earnings, Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services, comes in at about $24,000 a year, below the school's overall median. That tells you the medical assisting track alone won't lift you out of the low-wage range in the Grantsboro area, and it's one of the weaker-paying options here despite being a health field. No bachelor-level programs are listed, so treat this as a stepping stone, not a destination.
The financial risk specific to Pamlico is stalling out. Under half of students finish, and if you pay two years of net price without a credential, you get the cost and none of the earnings bump. Rural Grantsboro also limits how many jobs your certificate connects to locally.
Your net price actually rises as income climbs. If your family earns $48,000 to $75,000, you pay under $6,000 a year, the cheapest tier. Families making $75,000 to $110,000 pay roughly $9,600, the most. Lower-income families land in the middle around $7,900.
This school fits you if you want a cheap, local entry into allied health and plan to transfer or add credentials later. If you need earnings that clear the low-$30,000s on their own, look at a four-year path or a higher-paying program elsewhere.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pamlico Community College worth the cost compared to other schools?
Pamlico Community College costs $7,847 per year but graduates earn just $30,005 ten years later, which is below average for community colleges. The low graduation rate of 47% means many students pay tuition without completing their program.
What are the best paying programs at Pamlico Community College?
Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services is the top program, with graduates earning around $24,035 annually. This is significantly lower than the overall graduate average of $30,005, suggesting other smaller programs may offer better returns.
How much debt do Pamlico Community College students typically have?
With an annual net price of $7,847, students completing a two-year program would pay roughly $15,694 total. Given the low graduate earnings of $30,005, this represents a reasonable debt load if students actually graduate.
Should I choose Pamlico Community College over a four-year university?
Pamlico Community College offers lower costs but also produces lower earnings than most four-year schools. The 47% graduation rate suggests academic support may be limited, making it risky for students who need structure to succeed.