Alamance Community College vs Johnson C Smith University: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Johnson C Smith University comes closer — median earnings $42,680 against a $83,576 total, vs $34,241 at Alamance Community College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Alamance Community College | Johnson C Smith University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $6,109 | $20,894 |
| Total net cost | $24,436 | $83,576 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $34,241 | $42,680 |
| Median debt | — | $30,000 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$306,816 | -$197,176 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Alamance Community College or Johnson C Smith University?
Alamance Community College, at $6,109 a year after aid versus $20,894 — a gap of $14,785 a year, or $59,140 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 Johnson C Smith University graduates earn more?
Johnson C Smith University graduates report a median $42,680 ten years after entry, $8,439 more than the $34,241 at Alamance 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 34% at Johnson C Smith University. 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.