Head-to-head · 2026
College of the Albemarle vs Southwestern Community College
Compare average net price ($2,253 at College of the Albemarle; $5,207 at Southwestern Community College), ROI score (36.88 vs 16.39), ten-year median earnings ($33,234 vs $34,145), and admissions context (Open / not reported at College of the Albemarle; Open / not reported at Southwestern Community College) using federal College Scorecard data. The metric count is evenly split at 2-2. 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 | College of the Albemarle | Southwestern Community College |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score | 36.88 ✓ | 16.39 |
| Avg net price | $2,253 ✓ | $5,207 |
| Median earnings (10y) | $33,234 | $34,145 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 34.8% | 53.1% ✓ |
| Median debt | — | $10,500 |
| Enrollment | 2,001 | 1,249 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | — | — |
| Metric advantages | 2 | 2 |
Value readout
Where each school has the edge
Southwestern Community College costs $2,954 more per year than College of the Albemarle ($5,207 vs $2,253). Southwestern Community College graduates report $911 higher median earnings after ten years ($34,145 vs $33,234). On EduGradify's model that puts College of the Albemarle ahead on projected ROI (36.88 vs 16.39, 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
College of the Albemarle vs Southwestern Community College, answered
4 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Is College of the Albemarle or Southwestern Community College the better value?
College of the Albemarle has the higher EduGradify ROI score (36.88 vs 16.39), 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 $5,207 at Southwestern Community College. The annual difference of $2,954 adds up to about $11,816 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Southwestern Community College reports higher median earnings ten years after entry: $34,145 vs $33,234 at College of the Albemarle. The annual gap in the federal data is $911.
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. College of the Albemarle reports a A+ value grade; Southwestern Community College reports A+.