Degree Dividend
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George C Wallace Community College-Dothan vs Central Alabama Community College: which has better ROI?

Public, Dothan AL · vs · Public, Alexander City AL

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but George C Wallace Community College-Dothan comes closer — median earnings $31,399 against a $4,680 total, vs $33,506 at Central Alabama Community College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureGeorge C Wallace Community College-DothanCentral Alabama Community College
Net price / yr$1,170$15,996
Total net cost$4,680$63,984
Median earnings, 10 yrs$31,399$33,506
Median debt$9,766
Payback
20-year net return-$343,900-$361,064

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

Which is cheaper, George C Wallace Community College-Dothan or Central Alabama Community College?

George C Wallace Community College-Dothan, at $1,170 a year after aid versus $15,996 — a gap of $14,826 a year, or $59,304 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do George C Wallace Community College-Dothan or Central Alabama Community College graduates earn more?

Central Alabama Community College graduates report a median $33,506 ten years after entry, $2,107 more than the $31,399 at George C Wallace Community College-Dothan. 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?

35% of students finish at George C Wallace Community College-Dothan, against 33% at Central Alabama 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.

George C Wallace Community College-Dothan vs Central Alabama Community College: frequently asked questions

Is George C Wallace Community College-Dothan or Central Alabama Community College a better value?
George C Wallace Community College-Dothan 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, George C Wallace Community College-Dothan or Central Alabama Community College?
George C Wallace Community College-Dothan: $1,170/yr net price after aid versus $15,996/yr at Central Alabama Community College — a difference of $14,826 a year, or about $59,304 over four years.
Do George C Wallace Community College-Dothan or Central Alabama Community College graduates earn more?
Central Alabama Community College graduates earn a median $33,506 ten years after entry, versus $31,399 at George C Wallace Community College-Dothan — a $2,107 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.