Degree Dividend
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Alamance Community College vs Tri-County Community College: which has better ROI?

Public, Graham NC · vs · Public, Murphy NC

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Alamance Community College comes closer — median earnings $34,241 against a $24,436 total, vs $32,232 at Tri-County Community College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureAlamance Community CollegeTri-County Community College
Net price / yr$6,109$7,799
Total net cost$24,436$15,598
Median earnings, 10 yrs$34,241$32,232
Median debt
Payback
20-year net return-$306,816-$338,158

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

Which is cheaper, Alamance Community College or Tri-County Community College?

Alamance Community College, at $6,109 a year after aid versus $7,799 — a gap of $1,690 a year, or $8,838 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 Tri-County Community College graduates earn more?

Alamance Community College graduates report a median $34,241 ten years after entry, $2,009 more than the $32,232 at Tri-County 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?

54% of students finish at Tri-County Community College, against 39% at Alamance 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 Tri-County Community College: frequently asked questions

Is Alamance Community College or Tri-County Community College a better value?
Alamance 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 Tri-County Community College?
Alamance Community College: $6,109/yr net price after aid versus $7,799/yr at Tri-County Community College — a difference of $1,690 a year, or about $8,838 over four years.
Do Alamance Community College or Tri-County Community College graduates earn more?
Alamance Community College graduates earn a median $34,241 ten years after entry, versus $32,232 at Tri-County Community College — a $2,009 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.