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Head-to-head comparison

Alamance Community College vs Johnson C Smith University: which has better ROI?

Public, Graham NC · vs · Private nonprofit, Charlotte 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 Charlotte, NC

Johnson C Smith University

Net price / year
$20,894
Earnings, 10 years
$42,680
Payback
No payback
The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Johnson C Smith University comes closer — median earnings $42,680 against a $83,576 total, vs $34,241 at Alamance Community College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureAlamance Community CollegeJohnson C Smith University
Net price / yr$6,109$20,894
Total net cost$24,436$83,576
Median earnings, 10 yrs$34,241$42,680
Median debt—$30,000
Payback——
20-year net return-$306,816-$197,176

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 Johnson C Smith University?

Alamance Community College, at $6,109 a year after aid versus $20,894 — a gap of $14,785 a year, or $59,140 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 Johnson C Smith University graduates earn more?

Johnson C Smith University graduates report a median $42,680 ten years after entry, $8,439 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?

39% of students finish at Alamance Community College, against 34% at Johnson C Smith University. 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 Johnson C Smith University: frequently asked questions

Is Alamance Community College or Johnson C Smith University a better value?
Johnson C Smith 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 Johnson C Smith University?
Alamance Community College: $6,109/yr net price after aid versus $20,894/yr at Johnson C Smith University — a difference of $14,785 a year, or about $59,140 over four years.
Do Alamance Community College or Johnson C Smith University graduates earn more?
Johnson C Smith University graduates earn a median $42,680 ten years after entry, versus $34,241 at Alamance Community College — a $8,439 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.