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Gaston College
Dallas, North Carolina · Public community college · Training programs available:
Address: 201 Hwy 321 S, Dallas, NC 28034 · Phone: (704) 922-6200 · School website ↗ · Verify on College Scorecard ↗
No accreditor sanctions in the last 36 months
Gaston College is a public trade and career school in Dallas, NC offering electrician, welding, and LPN programs, accredited by SACS and ACEN.
Gaston College's completion rate is 63.1%, above the North Carolina state average of 47.8%, and median earnings are $35,386 ten years after entry, per the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Median graduate debt is not reported for this campus.
Cost of attendance is not reported in federal data for Gaston College; contact the school for current tuition. It participates in Title IV federal aid, and about 26.0% of students receive Pell Grants.
What these trades pay once you're working
| Occupation | Starting (10th pct) | Median | Experienced (75th) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electricians | $40,130 | $56,800 | $61,920 |
| Welders, cutters, solderers and brazers | $38,540 | $50,590 | $60,870 |
| Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses | $50,480 | $63,270 | $69,700 |
| Nursing assistants | $30,260 | $38,460 | $43,850 |
| HVAC and refrigeration mechanics and installers | $37,780 | $57,260 | $64,310 |
| Skincare specialists | $25,570 | $39,120 | $57,000 |
| Automotive service technicians and mechanics | $31,500 | $48,200 | $63,170 |
| Machinists | $37,110 | $55,230 | $62,680 |
| Medical assistants | $36,010 | $45,140 | $47,500 |
| Hairdressers, hairstylists and cosmetologists | $26,880 | $38,410 | $48,300 |
| Emergency medical technicians | $35,190 | $44,250 | $49,310 |
| Phlebotomists | $35,210 | $43,330 | $46,860 |
| Pharmacy technicians | $35,820 | $44,530 | $48,480 |
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wages for everyone employed in the occupation in North Carolina (May 2025; national where the state figure is not published). The program table below shows what this campus's own graduates earned in their first year, whatever job they took.
Trade programs at this campus
| Program | Credential | Grads / yr | Earnings, yr 1 | Earnings, yr 2 | Median debt |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electrical and Power Transmission Installers | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 56 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants | Certificate, 1–2 years | 48 | $39,070 | $41,295 | not reported |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 47 | $39,070 | $41,295 | not reported |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 34 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 34 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 27 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 1–2 years | 25 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 19 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 16 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 10 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | Associate degree | 9 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Associate degree | 9 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Electrical and Power Transmission Installers | Associate degree | 8 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) | Certificate, 1–2 years | 6 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | Associate degree | 6 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Clinical/Medical Laboratory Science/Research and Allied Professions | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 5 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate, 1–2 years | 5 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Associate degree | 4 | $28,988 | $27,126 | not reported |
| Electrical and Power Transmission Installers | Certificate, 1–2 years | 4 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 3 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Certificate, 1–2 years | 3 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 2 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 2 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | Associate degree | 2 | $28,988 | $27,126 | not reported |
| Precision Metal Working | Associate degree | 2 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | Certificate, 300–899 hours | 1 | not reported | not reported | not reported |
Earnings are median wages and self-employment income reported to the IRS (W-2 and Schedule SE) for graduates who received federal aid and were working and not enrolled, measured in the calendar year after finishing. They are pay only: health insurance, retirement contributions and other benefits are not included.
Graduates per year from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2022-23 Completions survey. Earnings and debt are College Scorecard field-of-study medians for graduates of this program at this campus (reported at the 4-digit program level, so closely related programs share a figure); "not reported" means too few graduates were counted to publish a figure.
About this school
Gaston College is a public trade and career-training campus in Dallas, North Carolina. It is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, and its nursing offerings hold accreditation from the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing. Because it participates in Title IV federal aid programs, students can use FAFSA-based aid, including Pell Grants, to help pay for enrollment. Across 26 program families, the campus's largest trade programs by completions are Electrician schools (68 completers), Welding schools (59 completers), and LPN / LVN programs (48 completers).
Federal data shows a completion rate of 63.1%, which is above the North Carolina state average of 47.8%. Graduates report median earnings of $35,386 ten years after entry. Median debt for graduates of this campus is not reported for this campus in federal data, and annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data. About 26.0% of undergraduates receive Pell Grants, an indicator of the share of lower-income students served.
With 3,518 undergraduates and 387 trade-program completers located in a midsize suburb setting, this campus offers a mix of shorter certificate-style trade programs (electrician, welding) and longer clinical programs (LPN). Program length and schedule details are not stated in this data, so career changers weighing time commitment should confirm specifics directly with the school. To verify accreditation status and outcomes independently, check the accreditors listed above and the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard.
Questions students ask
What trade and career programs does this campus offer?
Gaston College offers 26 program families, with the largest completions in Electrician schools (68), Welding schools (59), and LPN / LVN programs (48). Other offerings include HVAC, CNC machining, medical assistant, cosmetology, EMT, and phlebotomy programs.
Is this school accredited, and by whom?
Yes, Gaston College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, with its nursing programs also accredited by the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing.
Can I use federal financial aid (FAFSA, Pell Grants) at this school?
Yes, Gaston College participates in Title IV federal aid programs, so students can use FAFSA-based aid including Pell Grants.
What share of students finish their program here, and how does that compare to the state?
The completion rate is 63.1%, which is above the North Carolina state average of 47.8%.
How much debt do graduates of this school typically carry?
Median graduate debt is not reported for this campus in federal data; contact the school or check the College Scorecard link for details.
What do graduates of this school earn?
Graduates report median earnings of $35,386 ten years after entering the program, per federal Scorecard data.
How much does it cost to attend for a year?
Annual cost of attendance is not reported for this campus in federal data; contact the school at (704) 922-6200 or visit its website for current tuition.
Is this a public, non-profit, or for-profit school, and why does that matter?
Gaston College is a public institution, which often means lower published tuition rates and eligibility for state funding compared to for-profit schools.
How long do the programs here take to complete?
Program lengths are not reported in this data; contact the school directly to confirm schedules and durations for specific programs.
How do I verify this school's accreditation and outcomes myself?
You can confirm accreditation through the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and the Accreditation Commission for Education in Nursing, and review outcomes on the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard at the provided link.
Is this school a good fit for an adult changing careers?
The campus offers a mix of shorter trade certificate programs and longer clinical programs like LPN, but specific scheduling or adult-learner accommodations are not stated in this data, so contact the school to confirm fit.
How do I contact the school or apply?
You can reach Gaston College at (704) 922-6200 or through its website, https://www.gaston.edu/.
How does this campus compare with other schools offering the same trade nearby?
Comparative data on nearby schools is not included here; use the College Scorecard link to compare completion rates, costs, and earnings across similar institutions.
Nearby trade and career schools in North Carolina
- Stanly Community CollegeAlbemarle, NC · 48% completion
- Empire Beauty School-ConcordConcord, NC · 65% completion
- Cabarrus College of Health SciencesConcord, NC · college
- Paul Mitchell the School-GastoniaGastonia, NC · 56% completion
- Amazing Grace Dental Assisting Academy of GastoniaGastonia, NC · state-licensed school
- Central Piedmont Community CollegeHuntersville, NC
- City WorksBelmont, NC
- Elevate Dental Assisting SchoolDenver, NC · state-licensed school
See all trade and career schools in North Carolina or search by ZIP code.
Data: Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) 2022-23 Completions survey; College Scorecard June 2026; Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs (DAPIP), September 2026. Figures are the U.S. Department of Education's official measures, not Career Training Path's opinion. Tuition, schedules and program availability change — confirm with the school before enrolling.