Degree Dividend
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Lenoir Community College vs Beaufort County Community College: which has better ROI?

Public, Kinston NC · vs · Public, Washington NC

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Lenoir Community College comes closer — median earnings $33,866 against a $16,508 total, vs $32,519 at Beaufort County Community College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureLenoir Community CollegeBeaufort County Community College
Net price / yr$4,127$6,500
Total net cost$16,508$26,000
Median earnings, 10 yrs$33,866$32,519
Median debt
Payback
20-year net return-$306,388-$342,820

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

Which is cheaper, Lenoir Community College or Beaufort County Community College?

Lenoir Community College, at $4,127 a year after aid versus $6,500 — a gap of $2,373 a year, or $9,492 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Lenoir Community College or Beaufort County Community College graduates earn more?

Lenoir Community College graduates report a median $33,866 ten years after entry, $1,347 more than the $32,519 at Beaufort County 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?

48% of students finish at Beaufort County Community College, against 36% at Lenoir 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.

Lenoir Community College vs Beaufort County Community College: frequently asked questions

Is Lenoir Community College or Beaufort County Community College a better value?
Lenoir 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, Lenoir Community College or Beaufort County Community College?
Lenoir Community College: $4,127/yr net price after aid versus $6,500/yr at Beaufort County Community College — a difference of $2,373 a year, or about $9,492 over four years.
Do Lenoir Community College or Beaufort County Community College graduates earn more?
Lenoir Community College graduates earn a median $33,866 ten years after entry, versus $32,519 at Beaufort County Community College — a $1,347 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.