Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College vs University of Mount Olive: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but University of Mount Olive comes closer — median earnings $47,139 against a $75,412 total, vs $36,048 at Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College | University of Mount Olive |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $11,602 | $18,853 |
| Total net cost | $46,408 | $75,412 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $36,048 | $47,139 |
| Median debt | $15,528 | $27,209 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$292,648 | -$99,832 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College or University of Mount Olive?
Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College, at $11,602 a year after aid versus $18,853 — a gap of $7,251 a year, or $29,004 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 University of Mount Olive graduates earn more?
University of Mount Olive graduates report a median $47,139 ten years after entry, $11,091 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 University of Mount Olive?
Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College: its completers carry a median $15,528 in federal loans versus $27,209 at University of Mount Olive, a difference of $11,681. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
52% of students finish at University of Mount Olive, 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.