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

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

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Beaufort County Community College comes closer — median earnings $32,519 against a $26,000 total, vs $34,409 at Shaw University. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureBeaufort County Community CollegeShaw University
Net price / yr$6,500$16,512
Total net cost$26,000$66,048
Median earnings, 10 yrs$32,519$34,409
Median debt$32,500
Payback
20-year net return-$342,820-$345,068

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

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

Beaufort County Community College, at $6,500 a year after aid versus $16,512 — a gap of $10,012 a year, or $40,048 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 Shaw University graduates earn more?

Shaw University graduates report a median $34,409 ten years after entry, $1,890 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 22% at Shaw 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 Shaw University: frequently asked questions

Is Beaufort County Community College or Shaw University a better value?
Beaufort County Community 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, Beaufort County Community College or Shaw University?
Beaufort County Community College: $6,500/yr net price after aid versus $16,512/yr at Shaw University — a difference of $10,012 a year, or about $40,048 over four years.
Do Beaufort County Community College or Shaw University graduates earn more?
Shaw University graduates earn a median $34,409 ten years after entry, versus $32,519 at Beaufort County Community College — a $1,890 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.