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

Public, Albemarle NC · vs · Public, Washington NC

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Stanly Community College comes closer — median earnings $36,686 against a $22,884 total, vs $32,519 at Beaufort County Community College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureStanly Community CollegeBeaufort County Community College
Net price / yr$5,721$6,500
Total net cost$22,884$26,000
Median earnings, 10 yrs$36,686$32,519
Median debt
Payback
20-year net return-$256,364-$342,820

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

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

Stanly Community College, at $5,721 a year after aid versus $6,500 — a gap of $779 a year, or $3,116 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

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

Stanly Community College graduates report a median $36,686 ten years after entry, $4,167 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 Stanly Community College, against 48% at Beaufort County 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.

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

Is Stanly Community College or Beaufort County Community College a better value?
Stanly 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, Stanly Community College or Beaufort County Community College?
Stanly Community College: $5,721/yr net price after aid versus $6,500/yr at Beaufort County Community College — a difference of $779 a year, or about $3,116 over four years.
Do Stanly Community College or Beaufort County Community College graduates earn more?
Stanly Community College graduates earn a median $36,686 ten years after entry, versus $32,519 at Beaufort County Community College — a $4,167 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.