At $3,430/yr net price, Patrick & Henry Community College graduates earn $33,323/yr within 10 years of enrollment.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $3,430 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $13,720 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $33,323/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | $-677/yr |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 45.3% |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $2,934/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $2,777/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $5,632/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $9,249/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 | $48,265 | |
| Electrical/Electronics Maintenance and Repair Technology. | Associate | $43,240 | |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants. | Certificate | $38,289 | |
| Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions. | Certificate | $24,035 | |
| Business Operations Support and Assistant Services. | Associate | $24,035 | |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Associate | $21,508 | |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Associate | $16,478 |
The Risk Factor
45.3% of students at Patrick & Henry 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
Patrick & Henry Community College keeps costs low, and the payoff depends entirely on what you study. At $3,430 a year in net price, you are not risking much money to enroll. But the median earnings ten years out, $33,323, sit close to what many jobs pay without any degree at all. That gap between low cost and modest typical earnings is the whole story here.
Nursing is where the money is. The associate degree in Registered Nursing leads to roughly $48,000 a year, and the electrical maintenance and repair associate degree lands near $43,000. Both connect to real hiring needs in the Martinsville region, where manufacturing and healthcare employers exist. The practical nursing certificate pays close to $38,000 for a shorter, cheaper program, which makes it one of the better cost-to-pay trades on this list.
The low-paying programs are a warning. Business operations support and the mental and social health services certificate both land around $24,000 a year. That is barely above minimum-wage territory, and spending time on either only makes sense if the credential is a stepping stone to more schooling, not an endpoint.
The main financial risk is the 45% graduation rate. If you borrow or spend two years and leave without finishing, you get the cost and none of the nursing or electrical earnings that justify it. Pick a program that pays and finish it.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families most. If your family earns under $48,000, you pay under $3,000 a year. Above $48,000, your price roughly doubles, and above $75,000 it jumps past $9,000. This school fits you best if you come from a modest-income household and enroll in nursing or electrical work. Look elsewhere if you want the lower-paying certificates as a final credential.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Patrick & Henry Community College worth the cost?
At $3,430 per year, Patrick & Henry Community College offers solid value for specific career programs. Nursing graduates earn $48,265 annually while electrical technology graduates make $43,240, both well above the school's overall average of $33,323.
What is the ROI for Patrick & Henry Community College graduates?
The ROI varies significantly by program at Patrick & Henry Community College. Healthcare and technical programs like nursing and electrical maintenance show strong returns, while business support and mental health programs lead to lower earnings around $24,035 annually.
Does Patrick & Henry Community College have a good graduation rate?
Patrick & Henry Community College has a 45% graduation rate, which is typical for community colleges but means over half of students don't complete their programs. Students should have clear career goals and support systems before enrolling.
What debt can I expect from Patrick & Henry Community College?
With a net price of $3,430 per year, Patrick & Henry Community College keeps debt relatively low compared to four-year schools. However, students in lower-paying programs may still struggle to justify even this modest cost based on earnings potential.