Public · Mostly associate degrees · Small city

Catawba Valley Community College

Hickory, North Carolina. 2,741 undergraduates.

North Carolina colleges Official websiteIts net price calculator
43%Graduation rate6 pts above the national median for similar colleges (38%)
$6,463Average net price per year35% below the national median for similar colleges ($9,953)
$41,272Median earnings 10 years after starting9% below the national median for similar colleges ($45,146)
—Median debt at graduation

What families actually pay

Under $30,000$5,647
$30,000–$48,000$5,507
$48,001–$75,000$6,476
$75,001–$110,000$12,287
Over $110,000$14,079

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: $2,427 in-state, $7,803 out-of-state.

Do students finish, and what do they earn?

MeasureThis collegeSimilar colleges nationally
Graduation rate43%38%
Return for second year65%64%
Median earnings, 6 years after starting$37,449$40,416
Median earnings, 10 years after starting$41,272$45,146
Median debt at graduation—$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

52 programs reported
ProgramGraduates / yrMedian earnings, 1 yrMedian earnings, 5 yrsMedian debt
Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing66$74,403—$15,771
Dental Support Services and Allied Professions16$64,153——
Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions27$53,415$60,124—
Business Administration, Management and Operations36$39,107$44,904—
Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities458$29,228$43,673$6,562
Health and Medical Administrative Services23$32,056$37,524—
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods6—$30,829—
Applied Horticulture and Horticultural Business Services7———
Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians5———
Computer and Information Sciences, General17———
Engineering, General5———
Electrical/Electronic Engineering Technologies/Technicians2———
Electromechanical Technologies/Technicians16———
Mechanical Engineering Related Technologies/Technicians4———
Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness3———
Criminal Justice and Corrections3———
Fire Protection4———
Homeland Security4———
Security Science and Technology7———
Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, Firefighting and Related Protective Services, Other8———
Electrical and Power Transmission Installers7———
Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR)1———
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians15———
Precision Metal Working16———
Design and Applied Arts21———
Health/Medical Preparatory Programs1———
Mental and Social Health Services and Allied Professions8———
Accounting and Related Services12———
Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations5———

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.

Similar colleges in North Carolina

Sandhills Community CollegePinehurst · net price $6,345 · grad rate 42%Cape Fear Community CollegeWilmington · net price $6,156 · grad rate 41%Central Carolina Community CollegeSanford · net price $5,828 · grad rate 45%Southeastern Community CollegeWhiteville · net price $4,352 · grad rate 43%Johnston Community CollegeSmithfield · net price $5,459 · grad rate 36%Western Piedmont Community CollegeMorganton · net price $3,726 · grad rate 42%

Compare colleges side by side

Quick answers

How much does Catawba Valley Community College cost per year?
The average net price at Catawba Valley Community College, what students pay after grants and scholarships, is $6,463 per year. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
How much do Catawba Valley Community College graduates earn?
Former Catawba Valley Community College students earn a median of $41,272 a year ten years after starting college. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.
What is the graduation rate at Catawba Valley Community College?
43% of Catawba Valley Community College students graduate within 150% of normal time. Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard.