John C Calhoun State Community College vs Auburn University at Montgomery: which has better ROI?
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 $38,192 at John C Calhoun State Community College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | John C Calhoun State Community College | Auburn University at Montgomery |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $7,660 | $13,224 |
| Total net cost | $30,640 | $52,896 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $38,192 | $44,391 |
| Median debt | $12,000 | $25,000 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$234,000 | -$132,276 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, John C Calhoun State Community College or Auburn University at Montgomery?
John C Calhoun State Community College, at $7,660 a year after aid versus $13,224 — a gap of $5,564 a year, or $22,256 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do John C Calhoun State Community College or Auburn University at Montgomery graduates earn more?
Auburn University at Montgomery graduates report a median $44,391 ten years after entry, $6,199 more than the $38,192 at John C Calhoun State 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, John C Calhoun State Community College or Auburn University at Montgomery?
John C Calhoun State Community College: its completers carry a median $12,000 in federal loans versus $25,000 at Auburn University at Montgomery, a difference of $13,000. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
41% of students finish at John C Calhoun State Community College, 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.