Degree Dividend
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George C Wallace State Community College-Hanceville vs Auburn University at Montgomery: which has better ROI?

Public, Hanceville AL · vs · Public, Montgomery AL

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Auburn University at Montgomery comes closer — median earnings $44,391 against a $52,896 total, vs $39,842 at George C Wallace State Community College-Hanceville. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureGeorge C Wallace State Community College-HancevilleAuburn University at Montgomery
Net price / yr$13,170$13,224
Total net cost$52,680$52,896
Median earnings, 10 yrs$39,842$44,391
Median debt$11,000$25,000
Payback
20-year net return-$223,040-$132,276

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

Which is cheaper, George C Wallace State Community College-Hanceville or Auburn University at Montgomery?

George C Wallace State Community College-Hanceville, at $13,170 a year after aid versus $13,224 — a gap of $54 a year, or $216 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 State Community College-Hanceville or Auburn University at Montgomery graduates earn more?

Auburn University at Montgomery graduates report a median $44,391 ten years after entry, $4,549 more than the $39,842 at George C Wallace State Community College-Hanceville. 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, George C Wallace State Community College-Hanceville or Auburn University at Montgomery?

George C Wallace State Community College-Hanceville: its completers carry a median $11,000 in federal loans versus $25,000 at Auburn University at Montgomery, a difference of $14,000. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

51% of students finish at George C Wallace State Community College-Hanceville, against 33% at Auburn University at Montgomery. 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 State Community College-Hanceville vs Auburn University at Montgomery: frequently asked questions

Is George C Wallace State Community College-Hanceville or Auburn University at Montgomery a better value?
Auburn University at Montgomery 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 State Community College-Hanceville or Auburn University at Montgomery?
George C Wallace State Community College-Hanceville: $13,170/yr net price after aid versus $13,224/yr at Auburn University at Montgomery — a difference of $54 a year, or about $216 over four years.
Do George C Wallace State Community College-Hanceville or Auburn University at Montgomery graduates earn more?
Auburn University at Montgomery graduates earn a median $44,391 ten years after entry, versus $39,842 at George C Wallace State Community College-Hanceville — a $4,549 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.