Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College vs Johnston Community College: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Johnston Community College comes closer — median earnings $37,310 against a $3,552 total, vs $36,048 at Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College | Johnston Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $11,602 | $1,776 |
| Total net cost | $46,408 | $3,552 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $36,048 | $37,310 |
| Median debt | $15,528 | — |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$292,648 | -$224,552 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College or Johnston Community College?
Johnston Community College, at $1,776 a year after aid versus $11,602 — a gap of $9,826 a year, or $42,856 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College or Johnston Community College graduates earn more?
Johnston Community College graduates report a median $37,310 ten years after entry, $1,262 more than the $36,048 at Asheville-Buncombe Technical 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?
40% of students finish at Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College, against 37% at Johnston 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.