Degree Dividend
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Barton College vs Haywood Community College: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Wilson NC · vs · Public, Clyde NC

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Barton College comes closer — median earnings $47,913 against a $94,504 total, vs $34,770 at Haywood Community College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureBarton CollegeHaywood Community College
Net price / yr$23,626$6,723
Total net cost$94,504$13,446
Median earnings, 10 yrs$47,913$34,770
Median debt$25,877
Payback
20-year net return-$103,444-$285,246

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, Barton College or Haywood Community College?

Haywood Community College, at $6,723 a year after aid versus $23,626 — a gap of $16,903 a year, or $81,058 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Barton College or Haywood Community College graduates earn more?

Barton College graduates report a median $47,913 ten years after entry, $13,143 more than the $34,770 at Haywood 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?

46% of students finish at Barton College, against 34% at Haywood 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.

Barton College vs Haywood Community College: frequently asked questions

Is Barton College or Haywood Community College a better value?
Barton College comes closer, but neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings — the field you study decides it here more than the school.
Which is cheaper, Barton College or Haywood Community College?
Haywood Community College: $6,723/yr net price after aid versus $23,626/yr at Barton College — a difference of $16,903 a year, or about $81,058 over four years.
Do Barton College or Haywood Community College graduates earn more?
Barton College graduates earn a median $47,913 ten years after entry, versus $34,770 at Haywood Community College — a $13,143 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.