Degree Dividend
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Beaufort County Community College vs Warren Wilson College: which has better ROI?

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

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Warren Wilson College comes closer — median earnings $36,260 against a $84,996 total, vs $32,519 at Beaufort County Community College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureBeaufort County Community CollegeWarren Wilson College
Net price / yr$6,500$21,249
Total net cost$26,000$84,996
Median earnings, 10 yrs$32,519$36,260
Median debt$25,000
Payback
20-year net return-$342,820-$326,996

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

Which is cheaper, Beaufort County Community College or Warren Wilson College?

Beaufort County Community College, at $6,500 a year after aid versus $21,249 — a gap of $14,749 a year, or $58,996 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 Warren Wilson College graduates earn more?

Warren Wilson College graduates report a median $36,260 ten years after entry, $3,741 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 42% at Warren Wilson 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.

Beaufort County Community College vs Warren Wilson College: frequently asked questions

Is Beaufort County Community College or Warren Wilson College a better value?
Warren Wilson 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 Warren Wilson College?
Beaufort County Community College: $6,500/yr net price after aid versus $21,249/yr at Warren Wilson College — a difference of $14,749 a year, or about $58,996 over four years.
Do Beaufort County Community College or Warren Wilson College graduates earn more?
Warren Wilson College graduates earn a median $36,260 ten years after entry, versus $32,519 at Beaufort County Community College — a $3,741 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.