At $2,380/yr net price, Rockingham Community College graduates earn $32,480/yr within 10 years of enrollment.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $2,380 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $9,520 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $32,480/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | $-1,520/yr |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 28.3% |
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 | $3,265/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $628/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $4,960/yr |
| $110,001+ | $1,514/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Associate | $39,009 | |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Certificate | $37,856 | |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants. | Certificate | $33,281 | |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Certificate | $33,138 | |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Associate | $30,771 | |
| Precision Metal Working. | Associate | $28,236 | |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities. | Associate | $22,834 |
The Risk Factor
28.3% of students at Rockingham Community 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
Rockingham Community College keeps your costs low, and that carries the financial case here. At $2,380 a year in net price, you can finish an associate degree for less than the price of a used car, and the low sticker means the earnings bar you need to clear is low too. But $32,480 in median earnings ten years out is a modest payoff, so the strength of your return depends heavily on which program you pick.
The allied health associate degree is the clear winner, and it out-earns every other option on this list. Its certificate version pays noticeably less, so the extra time in the associate track buys you real dollars. Practical nursing and the criminal justice certificate both land in the mid-$30,000s, which beats the school-wide median. Criminal justice tells the opposite story of allied health: the associate degree there pays less than the certificate, so a longer program does not guarantee more money.
The real risk is the 28.3% graduation rate. Nearly three of four starters don't finish, and a credential you don't complete gives you the debt and lost time without the earnings bump. That risk is bigger than any tuition number here.
This school fits you if you want a health or public-safety credential close to home and you can commit to finishing. If you're aiming for a career that needs a bachelor's degree, treat this as a cheap transfer step, not a destination.
On price, most income tiers pay very little, and the $48-75k bracket actually pays the least of all. Higher-income families in the $75-110k range pay the most, near $5,000 a year, so run your own numbers instead of assuming the top tier costs the least.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Rockingham Community College worth the cost?
At $2,380 per year, Rockingham Community College offers one of the most affordable educations in North Carolina. However, the 28% graduation rate means most students don't complete their programs, which significantly impacts the value proposition.
What are the highest paying programs at Rockingham Community College?
Allied health programs lead with graduates earning around $39,000 annually, followed by criminal justice at $37,800. These healthcare-focused programs offer the best return on investment at the college.
How much debt do Rockingham Community College graduates typically have?
With a net price of just $2,380 per year, students can complete most two-year programs for under $5,000 total. This low cost means graduates typically have minimal debt compared to four-year institutions.
What is the average salary after graduating from Rockingham Community College?
Graduates earn an average of $32,480 ten years after starting college. While this is modest, the extremely low cost of attendance means students can see positive returns relatively quickly if they complete their programs.