Beaufort County Community College vs McDowell Technical Community College: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but McDowell Technical Community College comes closer — median earnings $33,035 against a $15,568 total, vs $32,519 at Beaufort County Community College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Beaufort County Community College | McDowell Technical Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $6,500 | $7,784 |
| Total net cost | $26,000 | $15,568 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $32,519 | $33,035 |
| Median debt | — | — |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$342,820 | -$322,068 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Beaufort County Community College or McDowell Technical Community College?
Beaufort County Community College, at $6,500 a year after aid versus $7,784 — a gap of $1,284 a year, or $10,432 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 McDowell Technical Community College graduates earn more?
McDowell Technical Community College graduates report a median $33,035 ten years after entry, $516 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 McDowell Technical Community College, against 48% at Beaufort County 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.