Cost & ROI · 2026
Is Tri-County Community College worth it?
Pay $7,799/yr after aid. Graduates earn a median of $32,232 ten years out — about 4.1× the annual cost. EduGradify value grade: B.
The ROI math, in 30 seconds
Benchmarks
Tri-County 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 | Tri-County Community College | North Carolina avg | National avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg net price | ▲ $7,799 | $15,844 | $18,467 |
| Median earnings 10y | ▼ $32,232 | $44,299 | $50,834 |
| Median debt | — | $21,832 | $19,694 |
| Graduation rate | ▲ 54.3% | 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.
Total cost
4-year cost projection
Estimated net price each year through graduation, assuming a typical 3% annual tuition increase.
Sticker price (without aid) would run roughly $75,320 over four years. Most students get $11,031/yr in grants and scholarships.
Lifetime impact
Lifetime earnings boost vs no degree
Over a typical 40-year career, the median Tri-County Community College grad earns about -$510,720 more than a high school graduate (assuming HS median ≈ $45k/yr, BLS).
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 Tri-County Community College
The average student at Tri-County Community College pays $7,799 a year after grants and scholarships, against a $18,830 published sticker price. That is below the NC average net price of $15,844.
Ten years after entry, graduates earn a median of $32,232 — 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 Tri-County Community College.
Wentworth, NC · Public Rockingham Community College A+ Frequently asked
Cost & ROI questions
What is the net price at Tri-County Community College?
The average net price — what students actually pay after grants and scholarships — is $7,799 per year. That's $11,031/yr in financial aid against the $18,830 sticker price. Over four years, that adds up to roughly $31,196.
How much do Tri-County Community College graduates earn?
Ten years after enrolling, Tri-County Community College graduates earn a median of $32,232 per year — below the national average of $50,834. That's about 4.1× the annual net cost.
Is Tri-County Community College worth the cost?
EduGradify assigns Tri-County Community College a value grade of B — top 27% on real ROI nationally. The math: pay $7,799/yr, earn $32,232/yr ten years out, ROI score of 10.33. Exceptional Investment.
What financial aid is available at Tri-County Community College?
28.9% of students receive federal Pell Grants (need-based federal aid). 0% take federal student loans. On average, students get $11,031 per year in grants and scholarships off the sticker price.
What's the difference between in-state and out-of-state tuition at Tri-County Community College?
In-state tuition is $2,636 per year. Out-of-state tuition is $8,780 per year — a difference of $6,144/yr or $24,576 over four years.
How does net price change with family income at Tri-County Community College?
Net price is income-adjusted — lower-income families typically pay much less. Students from families earning under $30k pay about $7,220. 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 →