Degree Dividend
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Johnston Community College vs Alamance Community College: which has better ROI?

Public, Smithfield NC · vs · Public, Graham NC

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Johnston Community College comes closer — median earnings $37,310 against a $3,552 total, vs $34,241 at Alamance Community College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureJohnston Community CollegeAlamance Community College
Net price / yr$1,776$6,109
Total net cost$3,552$24,436
Median earnings, 10 yrs$37,310$34,241
Median debt
Payback
20-year net return-$224,552-$306,816

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

Which is cheaper, Johnston Community College or Alamance Community College?

Johnston Community College, at $1,776 a year after aid versus $6,109 — a gap of $4,333 a year, or $20,884 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Johnston Community College or Alamance Community College graduates earn more?

Johnston Community College graduates report a median $37,310 ten years after entry, $3,069 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 37% at Johnston 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.

Johnston Community College vs Alamance Community College: frequently asked questions

Is Johnston Community College or Alamance Community College a better value?
Johnston Community College 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, Johnston Community College or Alamance Community College?
Johnston Community College: $1,776/yr net price after aid versus $6,109/yr at Alamance Community College — a difference of $4,333 a year, or about $20,884 over four years.
Do Johnston Community College or Alamance Community College graduates earn more?
Johnston Community College graduates earn a median $37,310 ten years after entry, versus $34,241 at Alamance Community College — a $3,069 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.