Head-to-head · 2026
Central Piedmont Community College vs Elizabeth City State University
Compare average net price ($3,345 at Central Piedmont Community College; $6,364 at Elizabeth City State University), ROI score (28.30 vs 15.72), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($37,865 vs $40,026), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Central Piedmont Community College; 64.2% at Elizabeth City State University) 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 | Elizabeth City State University |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 28.30 ✓ | 15.72 |
| Avg net price | $3,345 ✓ | $6,364 |
| 4-year avg net price | $13,380 ✓ | $25,456 |
| In-state tuition | $2,792 | $6,536 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $8,936 | $10,536 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $37,865 | $40,026 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | 64.2% |
| Graduation rate | 30.9% | 43.5% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 69.9% | 76.9% ✓ |
| Median debt | $7,925 ✓ | $21,463 |
| Enrollment | 15,067 | 1,975 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | — | 1019 |
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 | Elizabeth City State University |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $3,258 ✓ | $4,246 |
| Family income $30–48k | $2,068 ✓ | $4,538 |
| Family income $48–75k | $4,725 ✓ | $5,354 |
| Family income $75–110k | $8,010 ✓ | $10,205 |
| Family income $110k+ | — | $15,663 |
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 | Elizabeth City State University |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 7.7% | 12.9% |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 1.9% | 12.1% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 3.5% | 9.4% |
| Design and Applied Arts | 4.4% | 2.9% |
| Accounting and Related Services | 2.5% | 2.9% |
| Educational Administration and Supervision | 1.3% | 2.4% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Central Piedmont Community College reports the lower average net price by $3,019 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $12,076 difference over four years ($13,380 vs $25,456).
Elizabeth City State University reports $2,161 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($40,026 vs $37,865). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 69.9% at Central Piedmont Community College and 76.9% at Elizabeth City State University. Median federal debt among completers is $7,925 vs $21,463, respectively.
6 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 Piedmont Community College vs Elizabeth City State University, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Central Piedmont Community College is cheaper — average net price $3,345 per year vs $6,364 at Elizabeth City State University. The annual difference of $3,019 adds up to about $12,076 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Elizabeth City State University reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $40,026 vs $37,865 at Central Piedmont Community College. The gap in the federal data is $2,161. 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.