Degree Dividend
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Allen County Community College vs Bellus Academy: which has better ROI?

Public, Iola KS · vs · Private for-profit, Manhattan KS

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Allen County Community College comes closer — median earnings $40,059 against a $17,284 total, vs $25,223 at Bellus Academy. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureAllen County Community CollegeBellus Academy
Net price / yr$8,642$26,631
Total net cost$17,284$106,524
Median earnings, 10 yrs$40,059$25,223
Median debt$6,954$7,917
Payback
20-year net return-$183,304-$569,264

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

Which is cheaper, Allen County Community College or Bellus Academy?

Allen County Community College, at $8,642 a year after aid versus $26,631 — a gap of $17,989 a year, or $89,240 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Allen County Community College or Bellus Academy graduates earn more?

Allen County Community College graduates report a median $40,059 ten years after entry, $14,836 more than the $25,223 at Bellus Academy. 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, Allen County Community College or Bellus Academy?

Allen County Community College: its completers carry a median $6,954 in federal loans versus $7,917 at Bellus Academy, a difference of $963. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

74% of students finish at Bellus Academy, against 37% at Allen County Community College. 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.

Allen County Community College vs Bellus Academy: frequently asked questions

Is Allen County Community College or Bellus Academy a better value?
Allen County Community College 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, Allen County Community College or Bellus Academy?
Allen County Community College: $8,642/yr net price after aid versus $26,631/yr at Bellus Academy — a difference of $17,989 a year, or about $89,240 over four years.
Do Allen County Community College or Bellus Academy graduates earn more?
Allen County Community College graduates earn a median $40,059 ten years after entry, versus $25,223 at Bellus Academy — a $14,836 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.