Central Piedmont Community College vs University of North Carolina Wilmington
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 | University of North Carolina Wilmington Wilmington, NC | |
|---|---|---|
| ROI verdict | Strong return | Poor return |
| 10-year ROI | +430% | -25% |
| 10-year net gain | $41,192 | $-21,512 |
| Median earnings (5 yr) | $50,077 | $51,603 |
| Median earnings (1 yr) | $40,149 | $37,250 |
| Average net price | $3,345 | $20,109 |
| Median debt | $7,925 | $19,500 |
| Break-even | 1.9 yrs | 13.3 yrs |
| Graduation rate | — | 71% |
| Admission rate | — | 64% |
Central Piedmont Community College
Strong return
+$41,192 over 10 years
Graduate earnings clearly outpace the cost and debt — this degree pays back quickly.
University of North Carolina Wilmington
Poor return
$-21,512 over 10 years
On these figures the cost and debt outweigh the earnings premium.
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard. ROI is computed by Degree Return — see how. Read the methodology. Data as of 2024.