Fayetteville State University vs Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Fayetteville State University comes closer — median earnings $40,144 against a $31,568 total, vs $36,048 at Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Fayetteville State University | Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $7,892 | $11,602 |
| Total net cost | $31,568 | $46,408 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $40,144 | $36,048 |
| Median debt | $22,987 | $15,528 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$195,888 | -$292,648 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Fayetteville State University or Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College?
Fayetteville State University, at $7,892 a year after aid versus $11,602 — a gap of $3,710 a year, or $14,840 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 Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College graduates earn more?
Fayetteville State University graduates report a median $40,144 ten years after entry, $4,096 more than the $36,048 at Asheville-Buncombe Technical 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 leaves students with less debt, Fayetteville State University or Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College?
Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College: its completers carry a median $15,528 in federal loans versus $22,987 at Fayetteville State University, a difference of $7,459. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
40% of students finish at Asheville-Buncombe Technical 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.