Degree Dividend
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University of North Carolina at Pembroke vs Alamance Community College: which has better ROI?

Public, Pembroke NC · vs · Public, Graham NC

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but University of North Carolina at Pembroke comes closer — median earnings $43,407 against a $41,040 total, vs $34,241 at Alamance Community College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureUniversity of North Carolina at PembrokeAlamance Community College
Net price / yr$10,260$6,109
Total net cost$41,040$24,436
Median earnings, 10 yrs$43,407$34,241
Median debt$25,000
Payback
20-year net return-$140,100-$306,816

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

Which is cheaper, University of North Carolina at Pembroke or Alamance Community College?

Alamance Community College, at $6,109 a year after aid versus $10,260 — a gap of $4,151 a year, or $16,604 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 at Pembroke or Alamance Community College graduates earn more?

University of North Carolina at Pembroke graduates report a median $43,407 ten years after entry, $9,166 more than the $34,241 at Alamance 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?

44% of students finish at University of North Carolina at Pembroke, against 39% at Alamance 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.

University of North Carolina at Pembroke vs Alamance Community College: frequently asked questions

Is University of North Carolina at Pembroke or Alamance Community College a better value?
University of North Carolina at Pembroke 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, University of North Carolina at Pembroke or Alamance Community College?
Alamance Community College: $6,109/yr net price after aid versus $10,260/yr at University of North Carolina at Pembroke — a difference of $4,151 a year, or about $16,604 over four years.
Do University of North Carolina at Pembroke or Alamance Community College graduates earn more?
University of North Carolina at Pembroke graduates earn a median $43,407 ten years after entry, versus $34,241 at Alamance Community College — a $9,166 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.