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Head-to-head comparison

Alamance Community College vs Gardner-Webb University: which has better ROI?

Public, Graham NC · vs · Private nonprofit, Boiling Springs NC

By the Degree Dividend editorial data teamEvery figure verified against its federal source — methodologyData updated June 2026

Option A Graham, NC

Alamance Community College

Net price / year
$6,109
Earnings, 10 years
$34,241
Payback
No payback

Option B Boiling Springs, NC

Gardner-Webb University

Net price / year
$17,674
Earnings, 10 years
$48,039
Payback
No payback
The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Gardner-Webb University comes closer — median earnings $48,039 against a $70,696 total, vs $34,241 at Alamance Community College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureAlamance Community CollegeGardner-Webb University
Net price / yr$6,109$17,674
Total net cost$24,436$70,696
Median earnings, 10 yrs$34,241$48,039
Median debt—$24,222
Payback——
20-year net return-$306,816-$77,116

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

The short answer

Which is cheaper, Alamance Community College or Gardner-Webb University?

Alamance Community College, at $6,109 a year after aid versus $17,674 — a gap of $11,565 a year, or $46,260 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

The short answer

Do Alamance Community College or Gardner-Webb University graduates earn more?

Gardner-Webb University graduates report a median $48,039 ten years after entry, $13,798 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.

The short answer

Which graduates more of its students?

55% of students finish at Gardner-Webb University, 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.

Alamance Community College vs Gardner-Webb University: frequently asked questions

Is Alamance Community College or Gardner-Webb University a better value?
Gardner-Webb University 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, Alamance Community College or Gardner-Webb University?
Alamance Community College: $6,109/yr net price after aid versus $17,674/yr at Gardner-Webb University — a difference of $11,565 a year, or about $46,260 over four years.
Do Alamance Community College or Gardner-Webb University graduates earn more?
Gardner-Webb University graduates earn a median $48,039 ten years after entry, versus $34,241 at Alamance Community College — a $13,798 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.