Dr. Carol S. Spalding, President | Rowan-Cabarrus Community College
Dr. Carol S. Spalding, President | Rowan-Cabarrus Community College
Data shows that students paid $7,516 on average to attend higher education courses at the time, less than the $418 charged for the previous school year.
Among the three institutions in the county, Catawba College stood out with the highest tuition fees, reaching an average of $32,868. Livingstone College followed with an average of $18,296 per year. Rowan-Cabarrus Community College students were offered the lowest annual tuition fees at $2,070.
At the time, a total of $13.8 million in grants or scholarships were awarded to full-time undergraduates who started at the Rowan County universities in the 2022-23 school year. Additionally, federal student loans reached $2.3 million.
Currently there are three higher education institutions in Rowan County, including Rowan-Cabarrus Community College, Catawba College, and Livingstone College.
Undergraduate education costs have seen a significant increase over the past few decades. Data shows a 169% rise in the average total cost, including tuition, fees, room, and board, between 1980 and 2020.
According to a 2023 College Board report, in-state students at public universities paid an average of $11,260, while out-of-state students paid $29,150 in the 2023-24 academic year.
Meanwhile, student loan debt has steadily increased over the last 30 years, reaching $1.75 trillion in 2024, averaging a total of $28,950 per borrower. Federal loans make up 92% of the debt, with over half of students at both public and private four-year colleges graduating with student loans.
Available data sometimes exceeds 100% due to rounding and administrative calculations.
| Institution | Number of Students Receiving Grants | Total Amount of Grants Received | Average Amount of Grant Per Student | Number of Students Receiving Loans | Total Amount of Loans Received | Average Amount of Loans Per Student |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Livingstone College | 200 | $2,613,034 | $13,065 | 189 | $1,240,567 | $6,564 |
| Rowan-Cabarrus Community College | 340 | $2,375,610 | $6,987 | 0 | $0 | $0 |
| Catawba College | 298 | $8,820,409 | $29,599 | 172 | $1,047,199 | $6,088 |
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