North Carolina Central University vs Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but North Carolina Central University comes closer — median earnings $42,968 against a $61,436 total, vs $36,048 at Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | North Carolina Central University | Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $15,359 | $11,602 |
| Total net cost | $61,436 | $46,408 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $42,968 | $36,048 |
| Median debt | $28,250 | $15,528 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$169,276 | -$292,648 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, North Carolina Central University or Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College?
Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College, at $11,602 a year after aid versus $15,359 — a gap of $3,757 a year, or $15,028 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do North Carolina Central University or Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College graduates earn more?
North Carolina Central University graduates report a median $42,968 ten years after entry, $6,920 more than the $36,048 at Asheville-Buncombe Technical 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, North Carolina Central University or Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College?
Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College: its completers carry a median $15,528 in federal loans versus $28,250 at North Carolina Central University, a difference of $12,722. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
42% of students finish at North Carolina Central University, against 40% at Asheville-Buncombe Technical 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.