At $6,468/yr net price, Virginia Peninsula Community College graduates earn $37,996/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $3,996/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $6,468 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $25,872 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $37,996/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$3,996/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 6.5 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 34.1% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $9,500 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $4,560/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $5,756/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $7,705/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $9,984/yr |
| $110,001+ | $12,479/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dental Support Services and Allied Professions. | Associate | $59,846 | |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing. | Associate | $52,107 | $12,400 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections. | Associate | $33,993 | |
| Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions. | Certificate | $30,409 | $21,000 |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations. | Associate | $30,047 | $11,249 |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General. | Associate | $29,685 | |
| Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions. | Associate | $24,035 | |
| Business Operations Support and Assistant Services. | Associate | $22,796 | $21,411 |
| Social Sciences, General. | Associate | $22,308 | $10,500 |
| Biological and Physical Sciences. | Associate | $17,067 | $9,250 |
The Risk Factor
34.1% of students at Virginia Peninsula 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
Virginia Peninsula Community College gives you a low-cost entry point with modest returns that depend heavily on which program you pick. With debt under $10,000 and net price near the bottom of what colleges charge, your downside risk is small. But median earnings ten years out sit below $38,000, so the school is only worth it if you land in the right health field.
The split between programs is stark. Dental support and registered nursing both clear $52,000, and nursing does it while keeping debt reasonable. Everything else drops off a cliff. Criminal justice, business administration, and the mental health certificate all land near $30,000 to $34,000. The mental health certificate is the worst deal on the list: you take on $21,000 in debt to earn barely $30,000, more debt than the nursing associate degree that pays $22,000 more per year.
The main risk here is finishing at all. Only about a third of students graduate, so if you enroll and stall out, you carry cost with no credential to show for it. Pick a program you can complete and you avoid that trap.
This school fits you if you want a health credential without borrowing much. Nursing and dental support are the clear wins, feeding into Hampton-area hospitals and clinics. If you are aiming at business or criminal justice for the paycheck, the numbers do not support it.
On price, families under $30,000 pay about $4,560 a year, and even the top income tier stays under $12,500. The gap between the lowest and highest tiers is small in absolute dollars, so this stays affordable across income levels. The cost is not the problem here. The program you choose is.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Virginia Peninsula Community College worth the money?
Virginia Peninsula Community College offers solid value for healthcare programs, with dental support and nursing graduates earning $52,000-$60,000 annually. However, the 34% graduation rate means many students don't finish, and other programs like business and criminal justice lead to modest earnings around $30,000-$34,000.
What are the best paying programs at Virginia Peninsula Community College?
Dental support services leads at nearly $60,000 in annual earnings, followed by nursing at $52,000. Criminal justice, mental health services, and business programs all result in earnings around $30,000-$34,000, which may not justify even the low cost for some students.
How much debt do Virginia Peninsula Community College graduates have?
Median debt is $9,500, which is manageable for healthcare graduates but concerning for lower-paying programs. With annual earnings of $38,000 across all programs, graduates in business or criminal justice may struggle with loan payments.
What is the graduation rate at Virginia Peninsula Community College?
Only 34% of students graduate, meaning two-thirds don't complete their programs. This low completion rate is a major risk factor that prospective students should consider seriously before enrolling.