Degree Dividend
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Barton County Community College vs Hesston College: which has better ROI?

Public, Great Bend KS · vs · Private nonprofit, Hesston KS

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Hesston College comes closer — median earnings $47,495 against a $52,598 total, vs $40,428 at Barton County Community College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureBarton County Community CollegeHesston College
Net price / yr$9,905$26,299
Total net cost$39,620$52,598
Median earnings, 10 yrs$40,428$47,495
Median debt$9,501$12,000
Payback
20-year net return-$198,260-$69,898

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

Which is cheaper, Barton County Community College or Hesston College?

Barton County Community College, at $9,905 a year after aid versus $26,299 — a gap of $16,394 a year, or $12,978 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Barton County Community College or Hesston College graduates earn more?

Hesston College graduates report a median $47,495 ten years after entry, $7,067 more than the $40,428 at Barton County Community 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, Barton County Community College or Hesston College?

Barton County Community College: its completers carry a median $9,501 in federal loans versus $12,000 at Hesston College, a difference of $2,499. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

61% of students finish at Hesston College, against 33% at Barton 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.

Barton County Community College vs Hesston College: frequently asked questions

Is Barton County Community College or Hesston College a better value?
Hesston 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, Barton County Community College or Hesston College?
Barton County Community College: $9,905/yr net price after aid versus $26,299/yr at Hesston College — a difference of $16,394 a year, or about $12,978 over four years.
Do Barton County Community College or Hesston College graduates earn more?
Hesston College graduates earn a median $47,495 ten years after entry, versus $40,428 at Barton County Community College — a $7,067 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.