At $5,215/yr net price, Piedmont Community College graduates earn $33,274/yr within 10 years of enrollment.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $5,215 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $20,860 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $33,274/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | $-726/yr |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 41.7% |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $5,236/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $5,113/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 | $57,318 | |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Associate | $27,397 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Associate | $21,964 | |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Associate | $18,771 |
The Risk Factor
41.7% of students at Piedmont 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
Piedmont Community College runs on a low-cost, mixed-return model. At roughly $5,200 a year, your out-of-pocket cost is small, which changes the math on everything else. Even with a median 10-year earnings figure that sits low, the total price you pay stays modest enough that a cheap credential can still pencil out.
Nursing is the reason to come here. The associate nursing track earns more than double any other program on this list, and it clears the school-wide median by a wide margin. If you can get into and finish nursing, this is one of the strongest cheap-credential-to-paycheck moves in the region.
Everything else is weaker. Medical assisting, business administration, and liberal arts all land below the school's overall earnings median, and liberal arts sits near the bottom. A general studies associate here does little for your paycheck on its own. treat it as a transfer step toward a four-year degree, not an endpoint. If you stop at that credential, expect earnings that barely move above what you could make without it.
The main risk is completion. Fewer than half of students finish, so you can spend time and borrow money without walking away with the degree that justifies it. The low price protects you somewhat, but an unfinished nursing sequence still costs you the payoff.
The net price barely shifts between the lowest income tier and the next one up, so families under $48k pay close to the same modest amount. This school is a good financial fit if you are aiming at nursing or using it as a low-cost transfer launch point. Look elsewhere if you want a terminal associate in business or liberal arts and expect it to lift your income.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Piedmont Community College worth the cost?
At $5,215 per year, Piedmont Community College offers solid value if you choose the right program. Nursing graduates earn $57,318 annually, making the investment worthwhile, but liberal arts graduates average just $18,771.
What are the highest paying programs at Piedmont Community College?
Registered Nursing is the clear winner at $57,318 average salary, followed by Allied Health at $27,397. Business and liberal arts programs show significantly lower returns at around $22,000 and $19,000 respectively.
How much debt will I have after Piedmont Community College?
With a net price of $5,215 annually, total debt for a two-year program should be manageable at around $10,000-12,000. This low cost makes Piedmont Community College one of the more affordable options in North Carolina.
Does Piedmont Community College have good graduation rates?
Piedmont Community College's 42% graduation rate is concerning and below average for community colleges. This means nearly 6 out of 10 students don't complete their programs, which affects the school's overall value proposition.