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Cost & ROI · 2026

Is Sandhills Community College worth it?

Pay $4,157/yr after aid. Graduates earn a median of $31,656 ten years out — about 7.6× the annual cost. EduGradify value grade: A+.

Net price $4,157 per year, after aid
Earnings 10y $31,656 median, post-enrollment
A+ Top 7% Exceptional Investment

The ROI math, in 30 seconds

$4,157 × 4 years = $16,628 total cost
$31,656 / year earned 10 years after enrolling
=
19.04 ROI score Grade A+ · Top 7% value

Benchmarks

Sandhills Community College vs North Carolina avg vs national avg

How this school stacks up against the typical North Carolina college and the typical US college.

Metric Sandhills Community College North Carolina avg National avg
Avg net price $4,157 $15,844 $18,467
Median earnings 10y $31,656 $44,299 $50,834
Median debt $21,832 $19,694
Graduation rate 52.8% 47.2% 49.9%
Acceptance rate 67.4% 72.3%

Hidden cost

What you actually pay, by family income

Net price after grants and scholarships changes a lot depending on family income. Find your bracket.

$0 – $30k Low income
$2,674 per year
$30k – $48k Lower-middle
$3,988 per year
$48k – $75k Middle
$5,713 per year
$75k – $110k Upper-middle
$7,778 per year
$110k+ High income
$12,360 per year

Total cost

4-year cost projection

Estimated net price each year through graduation, assuming a typical 3% annual tuition increase.

Year 1 $4,157 2026–2027
Year 2 $4,282 2027–2028
Year 3 $4,410 2028–2029
Year 4 $4,542 2029–2030
4-year total $17,391 net of expected aid

Sticker price (without aid) would run roughly $58,836 over four years. Most students get $10,552/yr in grants and scholarships.

Lifetime impact

Lifetime earnings boost vs no degree

Over a typical 40-year career, the median Sandhills Community College grad earns about -$533,760 more than a high school graduate (assuming HS median ≈ $45k/yr, BLS).

Annual earnings advantage +-$13,344 vs HS-only median
Career-long boost -$533,760 40-year horizon, today's dollars
Net of 4-year cost -$550,388 after paying $16,628 for the degree

Caveat: this is a population median, not a guarantee. Actual outcomes vary widely by major, career path, and individual choices. We're showing the median to set realistic expectations.

The verdict

What the numbers say about Sandhills Community College

The average student at Sandhills Community College pays $4,157 a year after grants and scholarships, against a $14,709 published sticker price. That is below the NC average net price of $15,844.

Ten years after entry, graduates earn a median of $31,656 — below the NC median of $44,299. Weighed against what students actually pay, EduGradify models this as an exceptional investment.

Smart alternatives

Cheaper North Carolina colleges with comparable outcomes

Same state, at least 20% lower net price, with earnings within reach of Sandhills Community College.

Frequently asked

Cost & ROI questions

What is the net price at Sandhills Community College?

The average net price — what students actually pay after grants and scholarships — is $4,157 per year. That's $10,552/yr in financial aid against the $14,709 sticker price. Over four years, that adds up to roughly $16,628.

How much do Sandhills Community College graduates earn?

Ten years after enrolling, Sandhills Community College graduates earn a median of $31,656 per year — below the national average of $50,834. That's about 7.6× the annual net cost.

Is Sandhills Community College worth the cost?

EduGradify assigns Sandhills Community College a value grade of A+ — top 7% on real ROI nationally. The math: pay $4,157/yr, earn $31,656/yr ten years out, ROI score of 19.04. Exceptional Investment.

What financial aid is available at Sandhills Community College?

28.4% of students receive federal Pell Grants (need-based federal aid). 0% take federal student loans. On average, students get $10,552 per year in grants and scholarships off the sticker price.

What's the difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition at Sandhills Community College?

In-state tuition is $2,040 per year. Out-of-state tuition is $6,648 per year — a difference of $4,608/yr or $18,432 over four years.

How does net price change with family income at Sandhills Community College?

Net price is income-adjusted — lower-income families typically pay much less. Students from families earning under $30k pay about $2,674. Students from families earning over $110k pay about $12,360. See the chart below for all five income bands.

How we calculate ROI

Every number on this page comes from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. ROI score = (median earnings 10 years out × 10) / (avg net price × 4). The higher the ratio, the more graduates earn per dollar invested. We then percentile-rank every US college on that score to assign letter grades A+ through D. Read the full methodology →