Head-to-head · 2026
Central Piedmont Community College vs College of the Albemarle
Compare average net price ($3,345 at Central Piedmont Community College; $2,253 at College of the Albemarle), ROI score (28.30 vs 36.88), ten-year median earnings ($37,865 vs $33,234), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Central Piedmont Community College; Open / not reported at College of the Albemarle) using federal College Scorecard data. College of the Albemarle has a 3-1 metric-level edge. College of the Albemarle leads on ROI, but the cost and earnings signals are split enough that this is not a one-metric decision.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
9 metrics, side by side. A colored cell marks a metric-level advantage. Green = lower-is-better, violet = higher-is-better.
| Metric | Central Piedmont Community College | College of the Albemarle |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score | 28.30 | 36.88 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $3,345 | $2,253 ✓ |
| Median earnings (10y) | $37,865 ✓ | $33,234 |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 30.9% | 34.8% ✓ |
| Median debt | $7,925 | — |
| Enrollment | 15,067 | 2,001 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | — | — |
| Metric advantages | 1 | 3 |
Value readout
Where each school has the edge
Central Piedmont Community College costs $1,092 more per year than College of the Albemarle ($3,345 vs $2,253). Central Piedmont Community College graduates report $4,631 higher median earnings after ten years ($37,865 vs $33,234). On EduGradify's model that puts College of the Albemarle ahead on projected ROI (36.88 vs 28.30, exceptional investment).
The more affordable option (College of the Albemarle) also posts the better return, making it the lower-risk pick on cost alone. On admissions, neither school reports a standard acceptance rate in the current federal data, so this matchup should lean on price, outcomes and fit instead.
Frequently asked
Central Piedmont Community College vs College of the Albemarle, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Is Central Piedmont Community College or College of the Albemarle the better value?
College of the Albemarle has the higher EduGradify ROI score (36.88 vs 28.30), meaning its ten-year earnings go further against its net price.
Which school costs less after aid?
College of the Albemarle is cheaper — average net price $2,253 per year vs $3,345 at Central Piedmont Community College. The annual difference of $1,092 adds up to about $4,368 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Central Piedmont Community College reports higher median earnings ten years after entry: $37,865 vs $33,234 at College of the Albemarle. The annual gap in the federal data is $4,631.
What should I compare beyond ROI?
Use the ROI score as a value screen, then compare aid letters, program fit, graduation rate, location, campus size, and debt. Central Piedmont Community College reports a A+ value grade; College of the Albemarle reports A+.