Central Piedmont Community College vs North Carolina A & T State University
A side-by-side look at cost, graduate earnings, debt and return on investment. The better figure in each row is highlighted.
| Central Piedmont Community College Charlotte, NC | North Carolina A & T State University Greensboro, NC | |
|---|---|---|
| ROI verdict | Strong return | Break-even |
| 10-year ROI | +430% | +56% |
| 10-year net gain | $41,192 | $29,537 |
| Median earnings (5 yr) | $50,077 | $53,276 |
| Median earnings (1 yr) | $40,149 | $46,005 |
| Average net price | $3,345 | $10,846 |
| Median debt | $7,925 | $27,000 |
| Break-even | 1.9 yrs | 6.4 yrs |
| Graduation rate | — | 57% |
| Admission rate | — | 50% |
Central Piedmont Community College
Strong return
+$41,192 over 10 years
Graduate earnings clearly outpace the cost and debt — this degree pays back quickly.
North Carolina A & T State University
Break-even
+$29,537 over 10 years
The payoff is roughly break-even — the degree recovers its cost, but slowly.
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard. ROI is computed by Degree Return — see how. Read the methodology. Data as of 2024.