Degree Dividend
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Durham Technical Community College vs Alamance Community College: which has better ROI?

Public, Durham NC · vs · Public, Graham NC

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Durham Technical Community College comes closer — median earnings $36,142 against a $3,328 total, vs $34,241 at Alamance Community College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureDurham Technical Community CollegeAlamance Community College
Net price / yr$1,664$6,109
Total net cost$3,328$24,436
Median earnings, 10 yrs$36,142$34,241
Median debt$14,750
Payback
20-year net return-$247,688-$306,816

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

Which is cheaper, Durham Technical Community College or Alamance Community College?

Durham Technical Community College, at $1,664 a year after aid versus $6,109 — a gap of $4,445 a year, or $21,108 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Durham Technical Community College or Alamance Community College graduates earn more?

Durham Technical Community College graduates report a median $36,142 ten years after entry, $1,901 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?

45% of students finish at Durham Technical Community College, against 39% at Alamance 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.

Durham Technical Community College vs Alamance Community College: frequently asked questions

Is Durham Technical Community College or Alamance Community College a better value?
Durham Technical 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, Durham Technical Community College or Alamance Community College?
Durham Technical Community College: $1,664/yr net price after aid versus $6,109/yr at Alamance Community College — a difference of $4,445 a year, or about $21,108 over four years.
Do Durham Technical Community College or Alamance Community College graduates earn more?
Durham Technical Community College graduates earn a median $36,142 ten years after entry, versus $34,241 at Alamance Community College — a $1,901 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.