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

Public, Raleigh NC · vs · Public, Washington NC

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Wake Technical Community College comes closer — median earnings $41,769 against a $35,036 total, vs $32,519 at Beaufort County Community College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureWake Technical Community CollegeBeaufort County Community College
Net price / yr$8,759$6,500
Total net cost$35,036$26,000
Median earnings, 10 yrs$41,769$32,519
Median debt$12,000
Payback
20-year net return-$166,856-$342,820

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

Which is cheaper, Wake Technical Community College or Beaufort County Community College?

Beaufort County Community College, at $6,500 a year after aid versus $8,759 — a gap of $2,259 a year, or $9,036 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Wake Technical Community College or Beaufort County Community College graduates earn more?

Wake Technical Community College graduates report a median $41,769 ten years after entry, $9,250 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 Beaufort County Community College, against 33% at Wake Technical 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.

Wake Technical Community College vs Beaufort County Community College: frequently asked questions

Is Wake Technical Community College or Beaufort County Community College a better value?
Wake Technical 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, Wake Technical Community College or Beaufort County Community College?
Beaufort County Community College: $6,500/yr net price after aid versus $8,759/yr at Wake Technical Community College — a difference of $2,259 a year, or about $9,036 over four years.
Do Wake Technical Community College or Beaufort County Community College graduates earn more?
Wake Technical Community College graduates earn a median $41,769 ten years after entry, versus $32,519 at Beaufort County Community College — a $9,250 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.