Degree Dividend
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Sandhills Community College vs Barton College: which has better ROI?

Public, Pinehurst NC · vs · Private nonprofit, Wilson NC

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Barton College comes closer — median earnings $47,913 against a $94,504 total, vs $31,656 at Sandhills Community College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureSandhills Community CollegeBarton College
Net price / yr$4,157$23,626
Total net cost$8,314$94,504
Median earnings, 10 yrs$31,656$47,913
Median debt$25,877
Payback
20-year net return-$342,394-$103,444

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

Which is cheaper, Sandhills Community College or Barton College?

Sandhills Community College, at $4,157 a year after aid versus $23,626 — a gap of $19,469 a year, or $86,190 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Sandhills Community College or Barton College graduates earn more?

Barton College graduates report a median $47,913 ten years after entry, $16,257 more than the $31,656 at Sandhills 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?

53% of students finish at Sandhills Community College, against 46% at Barton 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.

Sandhills Community College vs Barton College: frequently asked questions

Is Sandhills Community College or Barton College a better value?
Barton 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, Sandhills Community College or Barton College?
Sandhills Community College: $4,157/yr net price after aid versus $23,626/yr at Barton College — a difference of $19,469 a year, or about $86,190 over four years.
Do Sandhills Community College or Barton College graduates earn more?
Barton College graduates earn a median $47,913 ten years after entry, versus $31,656 at Sandhills Community College — a $16,257 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.