Degree Dividend
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Fayetteville State University vs Alamance Community College: which has better ROI?

Public, Fayetteville NC · vs · Public, Graham NC

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Fayetteville State University comes closer — median earnings $40,144 against a $31,568 total, vs $34,241 at Alamance Community College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureFayetteville State UniversityAlamance Community College
Net price / yr$7,892$6,109
Total net cost$31,568$24,436
Median earnings, 10 yrs$40,144$34,241
Median debt$22,987
Payback
20-year net return-$195,888-$306,816

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

Which is cheaper, Fayetteville State University or Alamance Community College?

Alamance Community College, at $6,109 a year after aid versus $7,892 — a gap of $1,783 a year, or $7,132 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Fayetteville State University or Alamance Community College graduates earn more?

Fayetteville State University graduates report a median $40,144 ten years after entry, $5,903 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 38% at Fayetteville 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.

Fayetteville State University vs Alamance Community College: frequently asked questions

Is Fayetteville State University or Alamance Community College a better value?
Fayetteville State University 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, Fayetteville State University or Alamance Community College?
Alamance Community College: $6,109/yr net price after aid versus $7,892/yr at Fayetteville State University — a difference of $1,783 a year, or about $7,132 over four years.
Do Fayetteville State University or Alamance Community College graduates earn more?
Fayetteville State University graduates earn a median $40,144 ten years after entry, versus $34,241 at Alamance Community College — a $5,903 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.