At $4,474/yr net price, Southeastern Community College graduates earn $30,284/yr within 10 years of enrollment.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $4,474 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $17,896 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $30,284/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | $-3,716/yr |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 51.0% |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $4,316/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $4,691/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $5,538/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $3,902/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 | $51,607 | |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions. | Certificate | $25,967 |
The Risk Factor
51.0% of students at Southeastern 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
Southeastern Community College costs little to attend, but the median payoff is thin. Ten years out, typical earnings sit close to what full-time work at low wages produces, so the low sticker price is doing most of the ROI work here. This is a school where the program you pick matters more than the school itself.
Nursing is the clear win. The associate degree in registered nursing pushes earnings to roughly $52,000, which is close to double the school-wide median and enough to justify the two years easily. If you can get into and finish the nursing track, the math works strongly in your favor. The medical laboratory certificate is the opposite story: it pays under $26,000, below the school median, and does little to move your income above where you started.
The main financial risk is the 51% graduation rate. Half of students don't finish, and an unfinished credential leaves you with whatever debt you took on and none of the earnings bump the nursing degree provides. Borrow carefully, and treat any program outside nursing as something that needs its own job-market case before you commit.
Net price barely moves across income levels here, and families earning $75,000 to $110,000 actually pay the least at about $3,900. Even the highest-cost tier stays under $5,600 a year, so cost is not the barrier at this school for most families.
This is a good fit if you want the nursing associate degree or plan to transfer to a four-year school afterward. If you're drawn to the lab certificate or an undeclared path, look hard at the earnings before enrolling, because the general payoff here is weak and finishing is far from guaranteed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Southeastern Community College worth the cost?
Southeastern Community College offers good value with a low net price of $4,474 annually and nursing graduates earning over $51,000. However, the 51% graduation rate means nearly half of students don't finish their programs.
What are the highest paying programs at Southeastern Community College?
Nursing programs at Southeastern Community College provide the best return, with graduates earning around $51,607 annually. Other health programs like medical laboratory science average $25,967, which is below the overall 10-year graduate earning average of $30,284.
How much debt do Southeastern Community College students typically graduate with?
With a net price of $4,474 per year, students can complete most two-year programs for under $9,000 total if they graduate on time. The low cost reduces debt risk compared to four-year colleges.
What is the job market like for Southeastern Community College graduates?
Nursing graduates from Southeastern Community College enter a strong job market with salaries above $51,000. Other program graduates earn around $30,284 after 10 years, which is modest but reflects the rural North Carolina job market.