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Central Piedmont Community College vs Alamance Community College: which has better ROI?

Public, Charlotte NC · vs · Public, Graham NC

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Central Piedmont Community College comes closer — median earnings $37,865 against a $6,690 total, vs $34,241 at Alamance Community College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureCentral Piedmont Community CollegeAlamance Community College
Net price / yr$3,345$6,109
Total net cost$6,690$24,436
Median earnings, 10 yrs$37,865$34,241
Median debt$7,925
Payback
20-year net return-$216,590-$306,816

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

Which is cheaper, Central Piedmont Community College or Alamance Community College?

Central Piedmont Community College, at $3,345 a year after aid versus $6,109 — a gap of $2,764 a year, or $17,746 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Central Piedmont Community College or Alamance Community College graduates earn more?

Central Piedmont Community College graduates report a median $37,865 ten years after entry, $3,624 more than the $34,241 at Alamance 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?

39% of students finish at Alamance Community College, against 31% at Central Piedmont 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.

Central Piedmont Community College vs Alamance Community College: frequently asked questions

Is Central Piedmont Community College or Alamance Community College a better value?
Central Piedmont 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, Central Piedmont Community College or Alamance Community College?
Central Piedmont Community College: $3,345/yr net price after aid versus $6,109/yr at Alamance Community College — a difference of $2,764 a year, or about $17,746 over four years.
Do Central Piedmont Community College or Alamance Community College graduates earn more?
Central Piedmont Community College graduates earn a median $37,865 ten years after entry, versus $34,241 at Alamance Community College — a $3,624 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.