Head-to-head · 2026
Central Piedmont Community College vs Johnston Community College
Compare average net price ($3,345 at Central Piedmont Community College; $1,776 at Johnston Community College), ROI score (28.30 vs 52.52), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($37,865 vs $37,310), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Central Piedmont Community College; Open / not reported at Johnston 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 Piedmont Community College | Johnston Community College |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 28.30 | 52.52 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $3,345 | $1,776 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $13,380 | $7,104 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $2,792 | $2,756 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $8,936 | $8,900 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $37,865 ✓ | $37,310 |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 30.9% | 36.6% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 69.9% ✓ | 66.8% |
| Median debt | $7,925 | — |
| Enrollment | 15,067 | 3,453 |
| 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 | Johnston Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $3,258 | $1,743 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $2,068 | $986 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $4,725 | $2,495 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $8,010 | $1,684 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | — | $5,814 |
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 | Johnston Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 36.4% | 27.7% |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | 6.2% | 9.6% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 7.7% | 3.1% |
| Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians | 3.2% | 5.6% |
| Precision Metal Working | 3.9% | 4.3% |
| Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) | 1.4% | 5.8% |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | 2.1% | 4.4% |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | 1.6% | 4.5% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Johnston Community College reports the lower average net price by $1,569 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $6,276 difference over four years ($7,104 vs $13,380).
Central Piedmont Community College reports $555 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($37,865 vs $37,310). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 69.9% at Central Piedmont Community College and 66.8% at Johnston 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 Piedmont Community College vs Johnston Community College, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Johnston Community College is cheaper — average net price $1,776 per year vs $3,345 at Central Piedmont Community College. The annual difference of $1,569 adds up to about $6,276 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 $37,310 at Johnston Community College. The gap in the federal data is $555. 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.