Head-to-head · 2026
Elizabeth City State University vs Sandhills Community College
Compare average net price ($6,364 at Elizabeth City State University; $4,157 at Sandhills Community College), ROI score (15.72 vs 19.04), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($40,026 vs $31,656), and admissions context (64.2% at Elizabeth City State University; 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 | Elizabeth City State University | Sandhills Community College |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 15.72 | 19.04 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $6,364 | $4,157 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $25,456 | $16,628 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $6,536 | $2,040 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $10,536 | $6,648 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $40,026 ✓ | $31,656 |
| Acceptance rate | 64.2% | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 43.5% | 52.8% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 76.9% | 80.2% ✓ |
| Median debt | $21,463 | — |
| Enrollment | 1,975 | 2,539 |
| 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 | Elizabeth City State University | Sandhills Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $4,246 | $2,674 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $4,538 | $3,988 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $5,354 ✓ | $5,713 |
| Family income $75–110k | $10,205 | $7,778 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | $15,663 | $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 | Elizabeth City State University | Sandhills Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 12.9% | 5.4% |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 12.1% | 3.9% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 9.4% | 6.4% |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | 7.9% | 0.5% |
| Air Transportation | 6.2% | 0.7% |
| Accounting and Related Services | 2.9% | 1.8% |
| Design and Applied Arts | 2.9% | 0.7% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Sandhills Community College reports the lower average net price by $2,207 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $8,828 difference over four years ($16,628 vs $25,456).
Elizabeth City State University reports $8,370 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($40,026 vs $31,656). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 76.9% at Elizabeth City State University 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.
7 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
Related college comparisons
Promoted matchups involving the same colleges or other leading schools in their states.
Frequently asked
Elizabeth City State University 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 $6,364 at Elizabeth City State University. The annual difference of $2,207 adds up to about $8,828 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 $31,656 at Sandhills Community College. The gap in the federal data is $8,370. 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.