Degree Dividend
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Alamance Community College vs Cleveland Community College: which has better ROI?

Public, Graham NC · vs · Public, Shelby NC

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Cleveland Community College comes closer — median earnings $33,755 against a $3,980 total, vs $34,241 at Alamance Community College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureAlamance Community CollegeCleveland Community College
Net price / yr$6,109$995
Total net cost$24,436$3,980
Median earnings, 10 yrs$34,241$33,755
Median debt
Payback
20-year net return-$306,816-$296,080

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, Alamance Community College or Cleveland Community College?

Cleveland Community College, at $995 a year after aid versus $6,109 — a gap of $5,114 a year, or $20,456 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Alamance Community College or Cleveland Community College graduates earn more?

Alamance Community College graduates report a median $34,241 ten years after entry, $486 more than the $33,755 at Cleveland Community College. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.

Which graduates more of its students?

39% of students finish at Alamance Community College, against 32% at Cleveland Community College. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.

Alamance Community College vs Cleveland Community College: frequently asked questions

Is Alamance Community College or Cleveland Community College a better value?
Cleveland Community College comes closer, but neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings — the field you study decides it here more than the school.
Which is cheaper, Alamance Community College or Cleveland Community College?
Cleveland Community College: $995/yr net price after aid versus $6,109/yr at Alamance Community College — a difference of $5,114 a year, or about $20,456 over four years.
Do Alamance Community College or Cleveland Community College graduates earn more?
Alamance Community College graduates earn a median $34,241 ten years after entry, versus $33,755 at Cleveland Community College — a $486 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.