Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College vs Winston-Salem State University: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Winston-Salem State University comes closer — median earnings $45,344 against a $53,916 total, vs $36,048 at Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College | Winston-Salem State University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $11,602 | $13,479 |
| Total net cost | $46,408 | $53,916 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $36,048 | $45,344 |
| Median debt | $15,528 | $25,000 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$292,648 | -$114,236 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College or Winston-Salem State University?
Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College, at $11,602 a year after aid versus $13,479 — a gap of $1,877 a year, or $7,508 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 Winston-Salem State University graduates earn more?
Winston-Salem State University graduates report a median $45,344 ten years after entry, $9,296 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 Winston-Salem State University?
Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College: its completers carry a median $15,528 in federal loans versus $25,000 at Winston-Salem State University, a difference of $9,472. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
47% of students finish at Winston-Salem State University, 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.