Cost & ROI · 2026
Is McDowell Technical Community College worth it?
Pay $7,784/yr after aid. Graduates earn a median of $33,035 ten years out — about 4.2× the annual cost. EduGradify value grade: B.
The ROI math, in 30 seconds
Benchmarks
McDowell Technical Community College vs North Carolina avg vs national avg
How this school stacks up against the typical North Carolina college and the typical US college.
| Metric | McDowell Technical Community College | North Carolina avg | National avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg net price | ▲ $7,784 | $15,844 | $18,467 |
| Median earnings 10y | ▼ $33,035 | $44,299 | $50,834 |
| Median debt | — | $21,832 | $19,694 |
| Graduation rate | ▼ 48.4% | 47.2% | 49.9% |
| Acceptance rate | — | 67.4% | 72.3% |
Hidden cost
What you actually pay, by family income
Net price after grants and scholarships changes a lot depending on family income. Find your bracket.
Total cost
4-year cost projection
Estimated net price each year through graduation, assuming a typical 3% annual tuition increase.
Sticker price (without aid) would run roughly $75,132 over four years. Most students get $10,999/yr in grants and scholarships.
Lifetime impact
Lifetime earnings boost vs no degree
Over a typical 40-year career, the median McDowell Technical Community College grad earns about -$478,600 more than a high school graduate (assuming HS median ≈ $45k/yr, BLS).
Caveat: this is a population median, not a guarantee. Actual outcomes vary widely by major, career path, and individual choices. We're showing the median to set realistic expectations.
The verdict
What the numbers say about McDowell Technical Community College
The average student at McDowell Technical Community College pays $7,784 a year after grants and scholarships, against a $18,783 published sticker price. That is below the NC average net price of $15,844.
Ten years after entry, graduates earn a median of $33,035 — below the NC median of $44,299. Weighed against what students actually pay, EduGradify models this as an exceptional investment.
Smart alternatives
Cheaper North Carolina colleges with comparable outcomes
Same state, at least 20% lower net price, with earnings within reach of McDowell Technical Community College.
Wentworth, NC · Public Rockingham Community College A+ Frequently asked
Cost & ROI questions
What is the net price at McDowell Technical Community College?
The average net price — what students actually pay after grants and scholarships — is $7,784 per year. That's $10,999/yr in financial aid against the $18,783 sticker price. Over four years, that adds up to roughly $31,136.
How much do McDowell Technical Community College graduates earn?
Ten years after enrolling, McDowell Technical Community College graduates earn a median of $33,035 per year — below the national average of $50,834. That's about 4.2× the annual net cost.
Is McDowell Technical Community College worth the cost?
EduGradify assigns McDowell Technical Community College a value grade of B — top 26% on real ROI nationally. The math: pay $7,784/yr, earn $33,035/yr ten years out, ROI score of 10.61. Exceptional Investment.
What financial aid is available at McDowell Technical Community College?
27.1% of students receive federal Pell Grants (need-based federal aid). 0% take federal student loans. On average, students get $10,999 per year in grants and scholarships off the sticker price.
What's the difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition at McDowell Technical Community College?
In-state tuition is $2,032 per year. Out-of-state tuition is $6,640 per year — a difference of $4,608/yr or $18,432 over four years.
How does net price change with family income at McDowell Technical Community College?
Net price is income-adjusted — lower-income families typically pay much less. Students from families earning under $30k pay about $7,084. See the chart below for all five income bands.
How we calculate ROI
Every number on this page comes from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. ROI score = (median earnings 10 years out × 10) / (avg net price × 4). The higher the ratio, the more graduates earn per dollar invested. We then percentile-rank every US college on that score to assign letter grades A+ through D. Read the full methodology →