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$2,830Tuition
941Students
53%Grad Rate (6-yr)
$33,409Earnings
#23 in North CarolinaPublic2-yearData: 2023-24
Return on Investment: Strong

At $3,826/yr net price, Sampson Community College graduates earn $33,409/yr within 10 years of enrollment.

Cost vs. Outcomes

Return on investment data for Sampson Community College
Metric Value
Average Net Price (per year) $3,826
Estimated 4-Year Cost $15,304
Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) $33,409/yr
Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma $-591/yr
Graduation Rate (6-year) 52.5%

What You'll Actually Pay

Average net price by family income

Net price by family income for Sampson Community College
Family Income Estimated Net Price
$0 - $30,000 $3,374/yr
$30,001 - $48,000 $3,737/yr
$48,001 - $75,000 $4,877/yr
$75,001 - $110,000 $5,856/yr

Earnings by Major

Top programs ranked by median earnings

Earnings and debt by program at Sampson Community College
Program Level Median Earnings Median Debt
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. Associate $53,775

The Risk Factor

Completion Risk: Elevated Risk

52.5% of students at Sampson 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

Sampson Community College gives you a low-cost path with one clear financial winner and a lot of uncertainty around everything else. At under $4,000 a year in net price, your out-of-pocket cost is small, and that keeps your downside contained even if your earnings land on the low end.

The nursing program is the reason to come here. An associate degree in registered nursing pays around $53,775, which is more than $20,000 above the school's overall median earnings a decade out. That gap tells you most of the story: nursing graduates do well, and the median student who leaves with something else does not. Clinton and the surrounding rural region need nurses, so this credential connects to real local jobs.

The risk is that no other program here has earnings data to back it up. If you enroll in anything besides nursing, you're betting on an outcome the numbers can't confirm, and the school-wide median of $33,409 suggests those other paths pay modestly. A graduation rate just above half also means you have a real chance of leaving without a credential, which is the worst financial result , cost with no degree.

The net price barely moves across income brackets. If your family earns under $30,000, you'll pay about $3,374. if it earns $75,000 to $110,000, you'll pay about $5,856. Either way the cost stays low enough that a single year of nursing wages could cover your entire program.

This school is a strong fit for you if you want to become a registered nurse and stay in the area. If you're aiming for a different field or plan to transfer without a clear target, weigh your options carefully , the payoff outside nursing isn't documented here, and the low price only protects you if you actually finish.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Sampson Community College worth the cost?

At $3,826 per year, Sampson Community College offers affordable education with graduates earning $33,409 annually after 10 years. The low cost makes it a reasonable investment, though earnings lag behind four-year degrees.

What programs at Sampson Community College have the best ROI?

Nursing programs at Sampson Community College lead to the highest earnings at $53,775 annually. These healthcare programs offer the strongest return on investment compared to other majors at the school.

How much debt do Sampson Community College graduates typically have?

The low annual cost of $3,826 at Sampson Community College means students can graduate with minimal debt if they work part-time or receive financial aid. Community college students generally avoid the heavy debt loads seen at four-year schools.

Does Sampson Community College have good graduation rates?

Sampson Community College has a 52.5% graduation rate, which is typical for community colleges. About half of students complete their programs, though many transfer to four-year schools before finishing.