Head-to-head · 2026
Central Carolina Community College vs Sandhills Community College
Compare average net price ($5,446 at Central Carolina Community College; $4,157 at Sandhills Community College), ROI score (15.39 vs 19.04), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($33,525 vs $31,656), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Central Carolina Community College; Open / not reported at Sandhills Community College) using federal College Scorecard data. The table keeps affordability, outcomes, access and program fit separate rather than declaring one universal winner.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
13 metrics, side by side. Color marks a useful directional signal; admissions, SAT, tuition eligibility, ownership and enrollment stay neutral.
| Metric | Central Carolina Community College | Sandhills Community College |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 15.39 | 19.04 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $5,446 | $4,157 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $21,784 | $16,628 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $2,711 | $2,040 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $8,855 | $6,648 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $33,525 ✓ | $31,656 |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 42.9% | 52.8% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 72.5% | 80.2% ✓ |
| Median debt | — | — |
| Enrollment | 3,237 | 2,539 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | — | — |
Cost by family income
Reported net price by income band
Federal averages for students receiving Title IV aid. These are context, not a substitute for either school's financial-aid offer.
| Income band | Central Carolina Community College | Sandhills Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $4,326 | $2,674 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $4,660 | $3,988 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $6,961 | $5,713 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $8,936 | $7,778 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | $12,542 | $12,360 ✓ |
Program fit
Shared fields with reported awards
Award share is the share of reported credentials in a field, not the share of currently enrolled students.
| Shared field | Central Carolina Community College | Sandhills Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 26.1% | 41.6% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 5.6% | 6.4% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 5.7% | 5.4% |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | 5.7% | 4.4% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 1.5% | 7.3% |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 4.9% | 3.9% |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | 4.2% | 1.9% |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | 0.5% | 4.7% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Sandhills Community College reports the lower average net price by $1,289 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $5,156 difference over four years ($16,628 vs $21,784).
Central Carolina Community College reports $1,869 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($33,525 vs $31,656). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 72.5% at Central Carolina Community College and 80.2% at Sandhills Community College. Debt data is incomplete for at least one school, so it is not used as a deciding signal here.
8 of the strongest shared fields with positive award-share data are listed below. Award share describes reported credentials in a field, not the percentage of currently enrolled students.
Keep comparing
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Frequently asked
Central Carolina Community College vs Sandhills Community College, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Sandhills Community College is cheaper — average net price $4,157 per year vs $5,446 at Central Carolina Community College. The annual difference of $1,289 adds up to about $5,156 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Central Carolina Community College reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $33,525 vs $31,656 at Sandhills Community College. The gap in the federal data is $1,869. This is not major-specific earnings.
Is there an overall winner?
No single metric makes either school the universal winner. Compare your actual aid offers, residency tuition, intended major, graduation and retention rates, debt, location and campus fit. EduGradify keeps these trade-offs separate instead of combining admissions selectivity and test scores into a final verdict.