University of North Carolina Asheville vs Beaufort County Community College: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but University of North Carolina Asheville comes closer — median earnings $44,030 against a $49,000 total, vs $32,519 at Beaufort County Community College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of North Carolina Asheville | Beaufort County Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $12,250 | $6,500 |
| Total net cost | $49,000 | $26,000 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $44,030 | $32,519 |
| Median debt | $20,500 | — |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$135,600 | -$342,820 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of North Carolina Asheville or Beaufort County Community College?
Beaufort County Community College, at $6,500 a year after aid versus $12,250 — a gap of $5,750 a year, or $23,000 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do University of North Carolina Asheville or Beaufort County Community College graduates earn more?
University of North Carolina Asheville graduates report a median $44,030 ten years after entry, $11,511 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?
54% of students finish at University of North Carolina Asheville, 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.