Beaufort County Community College vs University of North Carolina School of the Arts: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but University of North Carolina School of the Arts comes closer — median earnings $38,357 against a $59,624 total, vs $32,519 at Beaufort County Community College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Beaufort County Community College | University of North Carolina School of the Arts |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $6,500 | $14,906 |
| Total net cost | $26,000 | $59,624 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $32,519 | $38,357 |
| Median debt | — | $23,870 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$342,820 | -$259,684 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Beaufort County Community College or University of North Carolina School of the Arts?
Beaufort County Community College, at $6,500 a year after aid versus $14,906 — a gap of $8,406 a year, or $33,624 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 University of North Carolina School of the Arts graduates earn more?
University of North Carolina School of the Arts graduates report a median $38,357 ten years after entry, $5,838 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?
78% of students finish at University of North Carolina School of the Arts, 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.