Elizabeth City State University vs Belmont Abbey College: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Belmont Abbey College comes closer — median earnings $47,937 against a $98,556 total, vs $40,026 at Elizabeth City State University. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Elizabeth City State University | Belmont Abbey College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $6,364 | $24,639 |
| Total net cost | $25,456 | $98,556 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $40,026 | $47,937 |
| Median debt | $21,463 | $26,000 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$192,136 | -$107,016 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Elizabeth City State University or Belmont Abbey College?
Elizabeth City State University, at $6,364 a year after aid versus $24,639 — a gap of $18,275 a year, or $73,100 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Elizabeth City State University or Belmont Abbey College graduates earn more?
Belmont Abbey College graduates report a median $47,937 ten years after entry, $7,911 more than the $40,026 at Elizabeth City State University. 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, Elizabeth City State University or Belmont Abbey College?
Elizabeth City State University: its completers carry a median $21,463 in federal loans versus $26,000 at Belmont Abbey College, a difference of $4,537. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
47% of students finish at Belmont Abbey College, against 44% at Elizabeth City State University. 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.