Allen County Community College vs Fort Hays State University-Northwest Kansas Technical College: which has better ROI?
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 $38,616 at Fort Hays State University-Northwest Kansas Technical College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Allen County Community College | Fort Hays State University-Northwest Kansas Technical College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $8,642 | $13,074 |
| Total net cost | $17,284 | $52,296 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $40,059 | $38,616 |
| Median debt | $6,954 | $12,000 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$183,304 | -$247,176 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Allen County Community College or Fort Hays State University-Northwest Kansas Technical College?
Allen County Community College, at $8,642 a year after aid versus $13,074 — a gap of $4,432 a year, or $35,012 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 Fort Hays State University-Northwest Kansas Technical College graduates earn more?
Allen County Community College graduates report a median $40,059 ten years after entry, $1,443 more than the $38,616 at Fort Hays State University-Northwest Kansas Technical College. 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 Fort Hays State University-Northwest Kansas Technical College?
Allen County Community College: its completers carry a median $6,954 in federal loans versus $12,000 at Fort Hays State University-Northwest Kansas Technical College, a difference of $5,046. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
73% of students finish at Fort Hays State University-Northwest Kansas Technical College, 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.