Public · Mostly associate degrees · Midsize city

Cape Fear Community College

Wilmington, North Carolina. 9,764 undergraduates.

41%Graduation rate4 pts above the national median for similar colleges (38%)
$6,156Average net price per year38% below the national median for similar colleges ($9,953)
$41,969Median earnings 10 years after starting7% below the national median for similar colleges ($45,146)
$9,500Median debt at graduation21% below the national median for similar colleges ($12,000)
Our read

Graduates' median debt ($9,500) equals 23% of former students' median earnings ten years after starting ($41,969). That is a light load relative to pay.

What families actually pay

Under $30,000$5,310
$30,000–$48,000$6,097
$48,001–$75,000$6,158
$75,001–$110,000$12,649
Over $110,000$13,161

Average yearly net price for first-time, full-time students who received federal aid, by family income. Net price is the cost of attendance minus grants and scholarships. Source: College Scorecard.

Compare net price across collegesPublished tuition and fees: $2,772 in-state, $8,916 out-of-state.

Do students finish, and what do they earn?

MeasureThis collegeSimilar colleges nationally
Graduation rate41%38%
Return for second year67%64%
Median earnings, 6 years after starting$37,631$40,416
Median earnings, 10 years after starting$41,969$45,146
Median debt at graduation$9,500$12,000

Graduation rate within 150% of normal time; retention is the share of first-year students who return. Earnings are medians for former students who received federal aid, working and not enrolled. National comparison is the median for colleges of the same type (mostly associate degrees).

Programs and what graduates earn

69 programs reported
ProgramGraduates / yrMedian earnings, 1 yrMedian earnings, 5 yrsMedian debt
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing100$78,374$70,321$16,542
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions49$58,285$68,088$16,000
Geological and Earth Sciences/Geosciences——$48,567—
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities832$33,434$45,339$9,000
Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services27$41,134——
Business Administration, Management and Operations32$37,055——
Accounting and Related Services8$36,984——
Health and Medical Administrative Services17$32,054——
Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business Services2———
Veterinary/Animal Health Technologies/Technicians17———
Computer and Information Sciences, General23———
Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services4———
Culinary Arts and Related Services17———
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods3———
Engineering, General10———
Architectural Engineering Technologies/Technicians6———
Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technologies/Technicians3———
Electromechanical Technologies/Technicians5———
Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians2———
Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services3———
American Sign Language3———
Legal Support Services6———
Nuclear and Industrial Radiologic Technologies/Technicians2———
Physical Science Technologies/Technicians9———
Criminal Justice and Corrections7———
Fire Protection4———
Security Science and Technology9———
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services, Other6———
Electrical and Power Transmission Installers14———
Building/Construction Finishing, Management, and Inspection21———
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians14———
Precision Metal Working7———
Design and Applied Arts21———
Film/Video and Photographic Arts10———
Dental Support Services and Allied Professions9———
Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions10———
Hospitality Administration/Management2———
Management Sciences and Quantitative Methods1———

Program-level medians for graduates who received federal aid. A dash means the Department of Education suppressed the figure to protect privacy, usually because the program is small. At four-year colleges, certificate graduates often earned a bachelor's at the same time, so their earnings can reflect the degree. Source: College Scorecard, field of study data.

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Quick answers

How much does Cape Fear Community College cost per year?
The average net price at Cape Fear Community College, what students pay after grants and scholarships, is $6,156 per year. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
How much do Cape Fear Community College graduates earn?
Former Cape Fear Community College students earn a median of $41,969 a year ten years after starting college. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
What is the graduation rate at Cape Fear Community College?
41% of Cape Fear Community College students graduate within 150% of normal time. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
How much student debt do Cape Fear Community College graduates have?
The median federal student debt at graduation from Cape Fear Community College is $9,500. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.