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

Public, Graham NC · vs · Private nonprofit, Swannanoa 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 $36,260 at Warren Wilson College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureAlamance Community CollegeWarren Wilson College
Net price / yr$6,109$21,249
Total net cost$24,436$84,996
Median earnings, 10 yrs$34,241$36,260
Median debt$25,000
Payback
20-year net return-$306,816-$326,996

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

Which is cheaper, Alamance Community College or Warren Wilson College?

Alamance Community College, at $6,109 a year after aid versus $21,249 — a gap of $15,140 a year, or $60,560 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 Warren Wilson College graduates earn more?

Warren Wilson College graduates report a median $36,260 ten years after entry, $2,019 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?

42% of students finish at Warren Wilson 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 Warren Wilson College: frequently asked questions

Is Alamance Community College or Warren Wilson 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 Warren Wilson College?
Alamance Community College: $6,109/yr net price after aid versus $21,249/yr at Warren Wilson College — a difference of $15,140 a year, or about $60,560 over four years.
Do Alamance Community College or Warren Wilson College graduates earn more?
Warren Wilson College graduates earn a median $36,260 ten years after entry, versus $34,241 at Alamance Community College — a $2,019 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.