Degree Dividend
Sourced from federal dataEvery figure datedNo rankings for sale

Richmond Community College vs Beaufort County Community College: which has better ROI?

Public, Hamlet NC · vs · Public, Washington NC

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Beaufort County Community College comes closer — median earnings $32,519 against a $26,000 total, vs $29,951 at Richmond Community College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

Share
Head to head
MeasureRichmond Community CollegeBeaufort County Community College
Net price / yr$5,071$6,500
Total net cost$20,284$26,000
Median earnings, 10 yrs$29,951$32,519
Median debt
Payback
20-year net return-$388,464-$342,820

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

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

Richmond Community College, at $5,071 a year after aid versus $6,500 — a gap of $1,429 a year, or $5,716 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

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

Beaufort County Community College graduates report a median $32,519 ten years after entry, $2,568 more than the $29,951 at Richmond 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 46% at Richmond 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.

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

Is Richmond Community College or Beaufort County Community College a better value?
Beaufort County 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, Richmond Community College or Beaufort County Community College?
Richmond Community College: $5,071/yr net price after aid versus $6,500/yr at Beaufort County Community College — a difference of $1,429 a year, or about $5,716 over four years.
Do Richmond Community College or Beaufort County Community College graduates earn more?
Beaufort County Community College graduates earn a median $32,519 ten years after entry, versus $29,951 at Richmond Community College — a $2,568 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.