At $4,534/yr net price, Vance-Granville Community College graduates earn $34,304/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $304/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $4,534 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $18,136 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $34,304/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$304/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 59.7 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 47.2% |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $3,490/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $4,717/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $4,860/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $10,708/yr |
| $110,001+ | $11,371/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 | $53,537 | |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions. | Associate | $47,260 | |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants. | Certificate | $41,565 | |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Certificate | $40,188 | |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Associate | $29,685 | |
| Accounting and Related Services. | Associate | $29,685 | |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services. | Associate | $29,250 | |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Associate | $29,250 | |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services. | Associate | $23,340 | |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods. | Associate | $22,898 |
The Risk Factor
47.2% of students at Vance-Granville 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
Vance-Granville Community College delivers solid financial returns for healthcare-focused students but offers limited value for most other programs. At $4,534 annually, the school costs less than many textbooks at four-year universities, making the investment manageable even if earnings potential varies widely by major.
Your program choice determines everything at VGCC. Nursing graduates earn $53,537 within ten years, creating a return that justifies the investment many times over. Allied health diagnostic programs also perform well at $47,260, while practical nursing provides middle-class earnings at $41,565. These healthcare tracks align with North Carolina's growing medical sector and aging population.
Criminal justice programs tell a different story. The data shows two separate criminal justice tracks with earnings of $40,188 and $29,685, suggesting significant variation in career outcomes within the same field. The lower-earning track barely exceeds what many retail managers make, raising questions about whether the credential adds meaningful value.
The 47% graduation rate creates additional risk. Nearly half of students leave without completing their programs, though those who finish generally find steady work in the rural Henderson area. The low percentage receiving financial aid suggests most students pay out of pocket, which reduces debt burden but may indicate limited scholarship opportunities.
VGCC works best for older students seeking healthcare credentials or career changes into nursing. The school makes less sense for traditional college-age students who could transfer to four-year programs or recent high school graduates uncertain about their career direction. If you know you want to work in healthcare and prefer staying local, the numbers support enrolling. For other career goals, your money might work harder elsewhere.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Vance-Granville Community College worth the money?
At $4,534 per year, Vance-Granville Community College offers solid value for students who complete nursing or allied health programs, which can lead to salaries above $40,000. However, the 47% graduation rate means many students don't finish their programs.
What are the highest paying programs at Vance-Granville Community College?
Registered nursing programs at Vance-Granville Community College lead to the highest earnings at $53,537 annually. Allied health diagnostic programs follow at $47,260, while practical nursing averages $41,565.
How much debt will I have after Vance-Granville Community College?
With a net price of $4,534 per year, most Vance-Granville Community College students graduate with minimal debt compared to four-year schools. Two-year programs keep total costs under $10,000 for most students.
Do Vance-Granville Community College graduates make good money?
Vance-Granville Community College graduates earn an average of $34,304 ten years after starting college. Nursing and healthcare graduates do much better, while criminal justice graduates may struggle with lower salaries around $30,000.