Catawba Valley Community College
Hickory, North Carolina
Catawba Valley Community College is a public institution in Hickory, North Carolina with 3,517 undergraduate students. For nursing students, the useful read is not just whether a program exists, but how its tuition, completion rates, debt, and earnings compare with nearby options.
In-state tuition is $2,367 compared with a North Carolina nursing-school average of $11,351. The school reports a graduation rate of 35.6%, median earnings of $36,977, and median federal debt of $4,938.
$2,367 is lower than the state average of $11,351.
35.6% is lower than the state average of 46.3%.
$36,977 is higher than the state average of $36,095.
About Catawba Valley Community College
| Location | Hickory, North Carolina |
| Institution Type | Public |
| Highest Degree | associate |
| Website | www.cvcc.edu |
| In-State Tuition | $2,367 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $7,743 |
| Total Enrollment | 3,517 |
| Acceptance Rate | N/A |
| Graduation Rate | 35.6% |
| Retention Rate | 69.3% |
| Median Earnings (10 yrs after) | $36,977 |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $4,938 |
| Est. Monthly Loan Payment | $52 |
| Pell Grant Recipients | 32.5% |
| Students Receiving Loans | 0.0% |
| Loan Default Rate | 0.0% |
| Nursing Program | Available |
Cost and Return Snapshot
Based on published tuition, median debt, and earnings data
A typical graduate debt load would equal about 0.1 years of post-payment earnings capacity using the reported median earnings and 10-year monthly payment estimate.
Affordability Context
32.5% of students receive Pell Grants, a useful signal for how often the school serves lower-income students. 0.0% of students take federal loans, so borrowing is less common than at many institutions in the student body. The three-year loan default rate is 0.0%, which helps frame repayment risk alongside earnings and debt.
Cost and Outcomes Context
The value picture at Catawba Valley Community College depends on the relationship between price, borrowing, and outcomes. A simple four-year tuition estimate is $9,468, while the reported median debt is $4,938 with an estimated monthly payment of $52. These figures should be compared with aid offers and program-specific requirements before making a final decision.
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Student Demographics
The student body is largest among White students (61.5%), followed by Hispanic students (18.6%) and Asian students (7.1%).
Value Score
Median earnings ($36,977) divided by median debt ($4,938)