Abbot Placid Solari, Chancellor | Belmont Abbey College
Abbot Placid Solari, Chancellor | Belmont Abbey College
Data shows that students paid $6,926 on average to attend higher education courses at the time, $310 more than the previous school year.
Among the three institutions in the county, Paul Mitchell the School-Gastonia stood out with the highest tuition fees, reaching an average of $19,350. Belmont Abbey College followed with an average of $18,500 per year. Gaston College students were offered the lowest annual tuition fees at $3,247.
At the time, a total of $5.9 million in grants or scholarships were awarded to full-time undergraduates who started at the Gaston County universities in the 2022-23 school year. Additionally, federal student loans reached $1.6 million.
Currently there are three higher education institutions in Gaston County, including Gaston College, Belmont Abbey College, and Paul Mitchell the School-Gastonia.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Belmont Abbey College | 390 | $3,548,060 | $9,098 | 196 | $1,417,179 | $7,231 |
| Gaston College | 292 | $2,227,102 | $7,627 | 0 | $0 | $0 |
| Paul Mitchell the School-Gastonia | 15 | $110,080 | $7,339 | 15 | $141,365 | $9,424 |
Alerts Sign-up