At $7,991/yr net price, Tidewater Community College graduates earn $38,349/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $4,349/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $7,991 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $31,964 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $38,349/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$4,349/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 7.3 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 30.1% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $10,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $6,245/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $6,997/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $8,811/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $12,637/yr |
| $110,001+ | $14,612/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 | $51,960 | $11,600 |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Associate | $50,439 | $10,450 |
| Funeral Service and Mortuary Science. | Associate | $47,260 | |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Associate | $46,282 | $9,650 |
| Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians. | Certificate | $44,542 | $4,719 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | Associate | $36,668 | |
| Industrial Production Technologies/Technicians. | Associate | $36,668 | |
| Ground Transportation. | Certificate | $34,526 | $3,345 |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies. | Associate | $32,925 | $7,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Associate | $30,687 | $9,300 |
The Risk Factor
30.1% of students at Tidewater 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
Tidewater Community College gives you a low-cost entry point with a payoff that depends heavily on which program you finish. The debt you take on is modest, and for a health-focused associate degree the math works out. The problem is finishing at all: fewer than a third of students graduate, which is the single biggest financial risk here.
The health programs are where the return lives. Nursing and allied health associate degrees clear $50,000, and you carry roughly $10,000 in debt to get there. That is a genuine payoff for a two-year credential. The mechanical engineering technology certificate is the quiet standout on cost: under $5,000 in debt for a $44,542 salary, the best ratio of any program listed.
If you land outside those fields, the picture flattens. The typical graduate earns $38,349 a decade out, so a general transfer or non-clinical track leaves you well below the nursing tiers. Treat this school as a route into a specific health or technical credential, not an open-ended two years.
The net price tiers reward lower-income families. Under $30k, you pay around $6,245. over $110k, it jumps to $14,612. Middle earners in the $75k-$110k band pay more than double the lowest tier, so run the specific number for your income before assuming this is the cheap option.
This is a good fit for you if you know you want nursing, allied health, or a technical certificate and can commit to finishing. If you are unsure of your direction, the 30% graduation rate means the likeliest outcome is debt without the credential that justifies it. Go in with a program picked and a plan to complete it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Tidewater Community College worth the money?
Tidewater Community College offers good value for students who complete nursing or allied health programs, with graduates earning $46,000-$52,000 annually. However, the 30% graduation rate means many students don't finish, and the overall median earnings of $38,349 after 10 years is below average for college graduates.
What are the best paying programs at Tidewater Community College?
Registered Nursing leads with median earnings of $51,960, followed by Allied Health Diagnostic programs at $50,439 and Funeral Service at $47,260. These healthcare-focused programs significantly outperform the school's overall graduate earnings average.
How much debt do Tidewater Community College graduates have?
The median debt for Tidewater Community College graduates is $10,000, which is relatively low compared to four-year schools. This manageable debt load helps improve the return on investment, especially for students who complete higher-paying programs.
What is the graduation rate at Tidewater Community College?
Only 30% of students graduate from Tidewater Community College within the standard timeframe. This low completion rate is a major risk factor that potential students should consider when weighing costs and benefits.