Gaston College
- Graduation Rate
- 59% C
- About half of students who start complete their degree
- Earnings (10yr)
- $35,386 D+
- Below average for college graduates
- Net Price
- $6,592 A-
- 62% less than the typical college
- Enrollment
- 3,518
Bottom line: A C overall grade — average outcomes for a U.S. college. 30.1× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $30.1 over 20 years.
Every $1 spent returns $30.1 over 20 years. Net gain: $767,306.
What The Data Says
-
A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Every $1 invested returns $30.1 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
About Gaston College
Gaston College is profiled below with full outcomes data from federal sources.
Interpretation generated from this school's federal outcomes, research, and mobility data.
Institutional Profile
- Institution Type
- Public College
- Carnegie Class
- Associate's College
- Enrollment
- 3,518
- Setting
- Suburban
- Primary Strengths
- Biology & Biomedical, Humanities, Health Professions, Business & Marketing
Why students choose Gaston College
CollegeRanker Report Card
Graded on outcomes, against every U.S. college.
Each grade is this school's national percentile on a real outcome — earnings, value, mobility, and more.
How we grade →Admissions
This school does not report a competitive admit rate — most qualified applicants are admitted.
Check your odds →Net price + aid
Students pay about $6,592 a year after grants and scholarships — 62% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $35,386 ten years after enrolling — 13% below the typical college.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 0.6% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 95% nationally for mobility. High social capital (0.64 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
At Gaston College, students looking for a hands-on education in fields like Health Professions, Biology, and Business will find a welcoming environment. With an enrollment of around 3,518, this public institution is well-suited for those who prefer smaller class sizes and personalized attention. The graduation rate of 59% indicates that many students successfully complete their programs, which speaks to a supportive atmosphere where learning can flourish.
Looking beyond graduation, students typically earn about $35,386 a year ten years after starting their studies. This figure can help students gauge what they might expect as they enter the workforce. It's also worth noting that 26% of the student body benefits from Pell Grants, which can make education more accessible and decrease financial barriers for those from lower-income backgrounds.
When it comes to the numbers that hit home, the net price for attending Gaston College after financial aid is around $6,592. This makes it a relatively affordable option compared to many other institutions. Students who thrive here are often those who appreciate a community-oriented setting and are committed to their studies, especially in practical fields where they can see the direct impact of their education on their careers.
Rankings
Can I Get In?
How selective Gaston College is — and how your numbers stack up.
Tool
Will I Be Accepted?
Enter your credentials to see your chances at this school.
Academics & Admissions
Is It Hard to Get Into Gaston College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Dallas, North Carolina, Gaston College enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 59%.
- Retention Rate
- 54%
- Full-Time Faculty
- 100%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $6,358
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 13:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.69
- First-Gen Students
- 48%
Can I Afford It?
What you'll actually pay after grants and aid — not the sticker price.
Cost & Financial Aid
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Gaston College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Gaston College is $9,330, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $6,592. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $5,784 after need-based grants.
- In-State Tuition
- $3,186
- Out-of-State
- $9,330
- Avg Net Price
- $6,592
- Pell Grant Rate
- 26%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 0%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $5,784
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $5,579
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $8,432
- Family Income $110K+
- $13,399
What Happens After?
Earnings, debt, and where graduates actually land.
Students Like You
Tell us a little about yourself to see what students like you have typically experienced at Gaston College — the net price for your income, your admission odds, and the outcomes that follow. These are patterns from federal data, not predictions.
Graduate Outcomes
Is Gaston College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Gaston College report median earnings of $35,386, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $31,988
- 8 Years
- $33,209
- 10 Years
- $35,386
- Earning > $25K
- 39%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (66)
- 21%
- 100% (66)
- 21%
- 100% (66)
- 21%
- 100% (66)
- 21%
How Gaston Compares
Dot right of center = above national average.
Net Price by Family Income
What families actually pay after aid, by income bracket.
The Mobility Equation
Mobility = Access x Success. How many low-income students get in, and how many reach the top 20%?
College ROI Calculator
Is Gaston College Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Gaston College delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $6,592/year ($26,368 total). Graduates earn $35,386 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $793,674 in total earnings — a net gain of $767,306 (30.1× your investment).. With a 59% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $26,368
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $793,674
- Net Return
- $767,306
- ROI Multiple
- 30.1×
- Cost Per Year
- $6,592
- Graduation Rate
- 59%
Does It Change Lives?
Mobility, social capital, and innovation — does it move people up?
Social Mobility
Data: Raj Chetty's Mobility Report Card · 30M+ anonymized tax records
Does Gaston College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Gaston College is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 0.57%, a more modest figure. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 14.3% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 4% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $63,100, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 0.57%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 4.0%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 14.3%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $85,731
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Endowment
- $5,799,149
- Investment Income
- $-1,627,779
Top Programs
The fields Gaston College awards the most degrees in, by share of completions. Where federal field-of-study data exists, we show what graduates in that major earned early in their careers. Each links to its degree guide — or see what someone with your income, scores, and major would pay and earn here in the Students Like You simulator.
- Biology & Biomedical 23%
- Humanities 22%
- Health Professions 17% $63,285 early-career
- Business & Marketing 10% $29,149 early-career
- Criminal Justice 4% $34,410 early-career
- Mechanic & Repair Tech 4%
- Construction Trades 3%
- Precision Production 3%
Early-career median earnings by major (typically 1–2 years after completion, bachelor's level where available), in today's dollars (CPI-adjusted). Source: U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard field of study. Distinct from the school-wide 10-year median; suppressed for small programs.
Top Careers
Where these majors tend to lead — common career paths for Gaston College's most popular programs, ranked by median pay with our proprietary scorecard insights.
- CChief Executive Officer$189,520 · 3% growthAdaptable 64
- C+IT Manager$169,510 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPharmacist$136,030 · 3% growthResilient 82
- CPetroleum Engineer$135,690 · 2% growthResilient 72
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
- B-Optometrist$131,860 · 9% growthResilient 96
- CPurchasing Manager$131,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Gaston College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Based in Dallas, North Carolina, Gaston College enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 59%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Gaston College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Gaston College is $9,330, but few families pay that. The number to watch is net price, what students actually pay each year after federal grants and institutional scholarships. Here it averages about $6,592. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $5,784 after need-based grants.
Is Gaston College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Gaston College report median earnings of $35,386, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
Does Gaston College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Gaston College is a measurable contributor to upward mobility. Its mobility rate, the share of students who start in the bottom income quintile and climb to the top, is 0.57%, a more modest figure. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 14.3% of students come from families in the bottom income quintile, a high share that gives low-income students a real foothold. Among bottom-quintile students who attend, roughly 4% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $63,100, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Gaston College? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs below average at Gaston College. Its economic connectedness score is 0.64, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.00), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 5% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Gaston College.
- Southern Crescent Technical CollegeGriffin, GA · Close peer55% grad $36,104 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Gateway Community and Technical CollegeFlorence, KY · Close peer53% grad $36,147 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Elizabethtown Community and Technical CollegeElizabethtown, KY · Close peer54% grad $36,143 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- West Kentucky Community and Technical CollegePaducah, KY · Close peer49% grad $34,891 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate
- Athens Technical CollegeAthens, GA · Close peer44% grad $35,951 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar size · similar net price
- Owensboro Community and Technical CollegeOwensboro, KY · Close peer52% grad $35,798 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Gaston College? Social Capital & Cross-Class Networks
Social capital, the web of cross-class friendships that researchers link to long-run upward mobility, runs below average at Gaston College. Its economic connectedness score is 0.64, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias is low (0.00), a sign that students from different economic backgrounds actually mix rather than self-segregate. Around 5% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note