Degree Dividend
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Alcorn State University vs Belhaven University: which has better ROI?

Public, Alcorn State MS · vs · Private nonprofit, Jackson MS

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Belhaven University comes closer — median earnings $46,440 against a $62,704 total, vs $36,421 at Alcorn State University. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureAlcorn State UniversityBelhaven University
Net price / yr$13,265$15,676
Total net cost$53,060$62,704
Median earnings, 10 yrs$36,421$46,440
Median debt$27,000$26,333
Payback
20-year net return-$291,840-$101,104

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, Alcorn State University or Belhaven University?

Alcorn State University, at $13,265 a year after aid versus $15,676 — a gap of $2,411 a year, or $9,644 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Alcorn State University or Belhaven University graduates earn more?

Belhaven University graduates report a median $46,440 ten years after entry, $10,019 more than the $36,421 at Alcorn State University. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.

Which leaves students with less debt, Alcorn State University or Belhaven University?

Belhaven University: its completers carry a median $26,333 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Alcorn State University, a difference of $667. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

57% of students finish at Alcorn State University, against 49% at Belhaven University. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.

Alcorn State University vs Belhaven University: frequently asked questions

Is Alcorn State University or Belhaven University a better value?
Belhaven University comes closer, but neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings — the field you study decides it here more than the school.
Which is cheaper, Alcorn State University or Belhaven University?
Alcorn State University: $13,265/yr net price after aid versus $15,676/yr at Belhaven University — a difference of $2,411 a year, or about $9,644 over four years.
Do Alcorn State University or Belhaven University graduates earn more?
Belhaven University graduates earn a median $46,440 ten years after entry, versus $36,421 at Alcorn State University — a $10,019 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.