Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College vs Lees-McRae College: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Lees-McRae College comes closer — median earnings $43,415 against a $113,360 total, vs $36,048 at Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College | Lees-McRae College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $11,602 | $28,340 |
| Total net cost | $46,408 | $113,360 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $36,048 | $43,415 |
| Median debt | $15,528 | $17,375 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$292,648 | -$212,260 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College or Lees-McRae College?
Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College, at $11,602 a year after aid versus $28,340 — a gap of $16,738 a year, or $66,952 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 Lees-McRae College graduates earn more?
Lees-McRae College graduates report a median $43,415 ten years after entry, $7,367 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 leaves students with less debt, Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College or Lees-McRae College?
Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College: its completers carry a median $15,528 in federal loans versus $17,375 at Lees-McRae College, a difference of $1,847. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
42% of students finish at Lees-McRae College, against 40% at Asheville-Buncombe Technical 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.