Degree Dividend
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Belmont Abbey College vs University of North Carolina School of the Arts: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Belmont NC · vs · Public, Winston Salem NC

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Belmont Abbey College comes closer — median earnings $47,937 against a $98,556 total, vs $38,357 at University of North Carolina School of the Arts. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureBelmont Abbey CollegeUniversity of North Carolina School of the Arts
Net price / yr$24,639$14,906
Total net cost$98,556$59,624
Median earnings, 10 yrs$47,937$38,357
Median debt$26,000$23,870
Payback
20-year net return-$107,016-$259,684

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

Which is cheaper, Belmont Abbey College or University of North Carolina School of the Arts?

University of North Carolina School of the Arts, at $14,906 a year after aid versus $24,639 — a gap of $9,733 a year, or $38,932 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Belmont Abbey College or University of North Carolina School of the Arts graduates earn more?

Belmont Abbey College graduates report a median $47,937 ten years after entry, $9,580 more than the $38,357 at University of North Carolina School of the Arts. 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 leaves students with less debt, Belmont Abbey College or University of North Carolina School of the Arts?

University of North Carolina School of the Arts: its completers carry a median $23,870 in federal loans versus $26,000 at Belmont Abbey College, a difference of $2,130. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

78% of students finish at University of North Carolina School of the Arts, against 47% at Belmont Abbey 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.

Belmont Abbey College vs University of North Carolina School of the Arts: frequently asked questions

Is Belmont Abbey College or University of North Carolina School of the Arts a better value?
Belmont Abbey 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, Belmont Abbey College or University of North Carolina School of the Arts?
University of North Carolina School of the Arts: $14,906/yr net price after aid versus $24,639/yr at Belmont Abbey College — a difference of $9,733 a year, or about $38,932 over four years.
Do Belmont Abbey College or University of North Carolina School of the Arts graduates earn more?
Belmont Abbey College graduates earn a median $47,937 ten years after entry, versus $38,357 at University of North Carolina School of the Arts — a $9,580 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.