Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College vs McDowell Technical Community College: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College comes closer — median earnings $36,048 against a $46,408 total, vs $33,035 at McDowell Technical Community College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College | McDowell Technical Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $11,602 | $7,784 |
| Total net cost | $46,408 | $15,568 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $36,048 | $33,035 |
| Median debt | $15,528 | — |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$292,648 | -$322,068 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College or McDowell Technical Community College?
McDowell Technical Community College, at $7,784 a year after aid versus $11,602 — a gap of $3,818 a year, or $30,840 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 McDowell Technical Community College graduates earn more?
Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College graduates report a median $36,048 ten years after entry, $3,013 more than the $33,035 at McDowell 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?
48% of students finish at McDowell Technical Community 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.