Rowan-Cabarrus Community College
- Graduation Rate
- 33% D
- Lower completion rate than most colleges
- Earnings (10yr)
- $34,936 D+
- Below average for college graduates
- Net Price
- $7,981 B+
- 53% less than the typical college
- Enrollment
- 4,164
Bottom line: A C overall grade — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges. 25.9× return on investment — every $1 spent returns $25.9 over 20 years.
Every $1 spent returns $25.9 over 20 years — debt pays back in ~under a year. Net gain: $794,633.
What The Data Says
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A C overall — outcomes trail most U.S. colleges on measured metrics.
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Graduation of 33% — 43% below the national average.
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Every $1 invested returns $25.9 over 20 years — an exceptional return.
About Rowan-Cabarrus Community College
Rowan-Cabarrus Community 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
- 4,164
- Setting
- Suburban
- Primary Strengths
- Humanities, Computer Science & IT, Health Professions, Culinary & Personal Services
Why students choose Rowan-Cabarrus Community 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 $7,981 a year after grants and scholarships — 53% below the typical U.S. college. See net price by family income below.
See cost & aid →Earnings + debt
Graduates earn a median of $34,936 ten years after enrolling — 14% below the typical college, against $9,458 in median debt.
See outcomes →Mobility + social capital
Moves 0.8% of its students from the bottom income fifth to the top — top 87% nationally for mobility. High social capital (0.71 economic connectedness).
See mobility →Overview
Rowan-Cabarrus Community College is a solid choice for students looking to gain practical skills in fields like Humanities, Computer Science & IT, Health Professions, Precision Production, and Culinary & Personal Services. With an enrollment of around 4,164 students, the college fosters a close-knit environment that often appeals to those who prefer smaller class sizes and more personalized attention. It’s a place where you can dive into hands-on learning while preparing for a career that truly interests you.
When it comes to what happens after graduation, graduates from Rowan-Cabarrus earn an average of $34,936 a decade after finishing their programs. This financial return is significant when considering the affordability of education here. The college's net price after aid is approximately $7,981, making it a reasonable option for many. With 28% of students receiving Pell Grants, it shows that there’s a commitment to making education accessible, especially for those who may need financial support.
Looking at the numbers, students tend to graduate with a median debt of $9,458, which is manageable for many graduates. The focus here is on practicality and employability, so those who thrive are often those who are eager to jump into their careers right away. If you're considering a future in a technical or applied field, Rowan-Cabarrus could be a great fit, allowing you to build the skills you need while keeping costs in check.
Rankings
Can I Get In?
How selective Rowan-Cabarrus Community 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 Rowan-Cabarrus Community College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Rowan-Cabarrus Community College, located in Salisbury, North Carolina, enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 33%.
- Retention Rate
- 60%
- Full-Time Faculty
- 24%
- Faculty Salary (mo)
- $6,580
- Student–Faculty Ratio
- 12:1
- Diversity Index
- 0.67
- First-Gen Students
- 47%
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 Rowan-Cabarrus Community College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College is $6,672, 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 $7,981. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $6,580 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $9,458 in federal student loans.
- In-State Tuition
- $2,064
- Out-of-State
- $6,672
- Avg Net Price
- $7,981
- Median Debt
- $9,458
- Pell Grant Rate
- 28%
- Federal Loan Rate
- 0%
What Families Actually Pay
- Family Income $0–$30K
- $6,580
- Family Income $30K–$48K
- $7,494
- Family Income $48K–$75K
- $8,903
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 Rowan-Cabarrus Community 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 Rowan-Cabarrus Community College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Rowan-Cabarrus Community College report median earnings of $34,936, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
- 6 Years After Entry
- $30,316
- 8 Years
- $33,733
- 10 Years
- $34,936
- Debt-to-Earnings
- 0.27x
- Earning > $25K
- 40%
Earnings Trajectory
Graduation by Timeframe
- 100% (120)
- 15%
- 100% (120)
- 15%
- 100% (120)
- 15%
- 100% (120)
- 15%
How Rowan-Cabarrus 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 Rowan-Cabarrus Community College Worth It?
A data-driven look at the return on your educational investment — using real federal data.
Yes — for most students, Rowan-Cabarrus Community College delivers a positive return. Over four years, the typical net price is $7,981/year ($31,924 total). Graduates earn $34,936 at ten years, and over a 20-year career we project $826,557 in total earnings — a net gain of $794,633 (25.9× your investment). The median debt is $9,458, which takes less than a year to pay back at typical earnings. With a 33% graduation rate, the path to that return is well-tested. This is a exceptional ROI compared to national averages.
- Total Cost (4yr)
- $31,924
- Projected 20yr Earnings
- $826,557
- Net Return
- $794,633
- ROI Multiple
- 25.9×
- Cost Per Year
- $7,981
- Median Debt
- $9,458
- Debt Payback
- Less than 1 yr
- Graduation Rate
- 33%
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 Rowan-Cabarrus Community College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Rowan-Cabarrus Community 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 0.81%, in line with strong performers nationally. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 12.8% 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 6.3% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $67,000, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
- Mobility Rate
- 0.81%
- Bottom 20% → Top 20%
- Success Rate
- 6.3%
- If bottom 20% get in
- From Bottom 20%
- 12.8%
- Share of students
- Parent Median Income
- $91,030
- today's $ (2015 cohort data)
Institutional Finances
Data: NCES IPEDS
- Endowment
- $253,416
- Investment Income
- $-65,342
Top Programs
The fields Rowan-Cabarrus Community 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.
- Humanities 21%
- Computer Science & IT 17% $38,698 early-career
- Health Professions 14% $61,913 early-career
- Culinary & Personal Services 10% $19,212 early-career
- Precision Production 7%
- Construction Trades 7%
- Mechanic & Repair Tech 6% $43,782 early-career
- Business & Marketing 6% $27,315 early-career
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 Rowan-Cabarrus Community 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
- C+Cloud Architect$142,000 · 15% growthAdaptable 52
- B-Site Reliability Engineer$140,000 · 20% growthAdaptable 52
- CSolutions Architect$138,000 · 12% growthAdaptable 52
- CHR Manager$136,350 · 5% growthAdaptable 64
- CPetroleum Engineer$135,690 · 2% growthResilient 72
- CSales Manager$135,160 · 4% growthAdaptable 64
Frequently Asked Questions
Is It Hard to Get Into Rowan-Cabarrus Community College? Acceptance Rate & Requirements
Rowan-Cabarrus Community College, located in Salisbury, North Carolina, enrolls students across a range of programs. The graduation rate is roughly 33%.
How Much Does It Cost to Attend Rowan-Cabarrus Community College? Tuition, Net Price & Aid
Published tuition at Rowan-Cabarrus Community College is $6,672, 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 $7,981. Students from families earning under $30,000 typically pay closer to $6,580 after need-based grants. The median graduate leaves with about $9,458 in federal student loans.
Is Rowan-Cabarrus Community College Worth It? Graduate Earnings & ROI
Ten years out, alumni of Rowan-Cabarrus Community College report median earnings of $34,936, a figure worth comparing against the cost of attendance before enrolling.
Does Rowan-Cabarrus Community College Drive Upward Mobility? Economic Mobility & Low-Income Outcomes
Rowan-Cabarrus Community 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 0.81%, in line with strong performers nationally. Access is a real strength here. Roughly 12.8% 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 6.3% go on to reach the top of the income ladder. The median family income of students sits near $67,000, a snapshot of the campus's socioeconomic mix.
How Connected Is Rowan-Cabarrus Community 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 Rowan-Cabarrus Community College. Its economic connectedness score is 0.71, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias sits near the middle of the range (0.09). Around 5% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Similar Schools
Schools with similar outcomes, selectivity, and student profiles to Rowan-Cabarrus Community College.
- Augusta Technical CollegeAugusta, GA · Close peer31% grad $33,523 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Lanier Technical CollegeGainesville, GA · Close peer35% grad $37,623 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Georgia Northwestern Technical CollegeRome, GA · Close peer38% grad $35,759 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Owens Community CollegePerrysburg, OH · Close peer33% grad $37,275 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- Pitt Community CollegeWinterville, NC · Close peer31% grad $37,259 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
- York Technical CollegeRock Hill, SC · Close peer31% grad $37,257 earnWhy: similar earnings · similar grad rate · similar size
Social Capital
Data: Opportunity Insights Social Capital Atlas
How Connected Is Rowan-Cabarrus Community 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 Rowan-Cabarrus Community College. Its economic connectedness score is 0.71, where about 1.0 is the national norm. Its friending bias sits near the middle of the range (0.09). Around 5% of students take part in civic and volunteering activity.
Research Note