Degree Dividend
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Beaufort County Community College vs Chowan University: which has better ROI?

Public, Washington NC · vs · Private nonprofit, Murfreesboro NC

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Chowan University comes closer — median earnings $38,412 against a $56,344 total, vs $32,519 at Beaufort County Community College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureBeaufort County Community CollegeChowan University
Net price / yr$6,500$14,086
Total net cost$26,000$56,344
Median earnings, 10 yrs$32,519$38,412
Median debt$29,491
Payback
20-year net return-$342,820-$255,304

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

Which is cheaper, Beaufort County Community College or Chowan University?

Beaufort County Community College, at $6,500 a year after aid versus $14,086 — a gap of $7,586 a year, or $30,344 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Beaufort County Community College or Chowan University graduates earn more?

Chowan University graduates report a median $38,412 ten years after entry, $5,893 more than the $32,519 at Beaufort County 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 Beaufort County Community College, against 30% at Chowan University. 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.

Beaufort County Community College vs Chowan University: frequently asked questions

Is Beaufort County Community College or Chowan University a better value?
Chowan University 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, Beaufort County Community College or Chowan University?
Beaufort County Community College: $6,500/yr net price after aid versus $14,086/yr at Chowan University — a difference of $7,586 a year, or about $30,344 over four years.
Do Beaufort County Community College or Chowan University graduates earn more?
Chowan University graduates earn a median $38,412 ten years after entry, versus $32,519 at Beaufort County Community College — a $5,893 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.