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), school-wide 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. 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 Piedmont Community College | College of the Albemarle |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 28.30 | 36.88 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $3,345 | $2,253 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $13,380 | $9,012 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $2,792 | $2,242 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $8,936 | $7,652 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $37,865 ✓ | $33,234 |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 30.9% | 34.8% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 69.9% | 71.6% ✓ |
| Median debt | $7,925 | — |
| Enrollment | 15,067 | 2,001 |
| 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 Piedmont Community College | College of the Albemarle |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $3,258 | $398 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $2,068 ✓ | $2,466 |
| Family income $48–75k | $4,725 | $3,869 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $8,010 | $7,216 ✓ |
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 Piedmont Community College | College of the Albemarle |
|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 36.4% | 38.2% |
| Precision Metal Working | 3.9% | 13.3% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 7.7% | 5.8% |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | 6.2% | 4% |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) | 1.4% | 5.3% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 2.5% | 3.9% |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 1.9% | 4.3% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 3.5% | 2.4% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
College of the Albemarle reports the lower average net price by $1,092 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $4,368 difference over four years ($9,012 vs $13,380).
Central Piedmont Community College reports $4,631 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($37,865 vs $33,234). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 69.9% at Central Piedmont Community College and 71.6% at College of the Albemarle. 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.
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Frequently asked
Central Piedmont Community College vs College of the Albemarle, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
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 school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $37,865 vs $33,234 at College of the Albemarle. The gap in the federal data is $4,631. 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.