Degree Dividend
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Bay de Noc Community College vs West Shore Community College: which has better ROI?

Public, Escanaba MI · vs · Public, Scottville MI

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but West Shore Community College comes closer — median earnings $36,115 against a $3,054 total, vs $35,090 at Bay de Noc Community College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureBay de Noc Community CollegeWest Shore Community College
Net price / yr$11,949$1,527
Total net cost$23,898$3,054
Median earnings, 10 yrs$35,090$36,115
Median debt$12,618$9,089
Payback
20-year net return-$289,298-$247,954

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

Which is cheaper, Bay de Noc Community College or West Shore Community College?

West Shore Community College, at $1,527 a year after aid versus $11,949 — a gap of $10,422 a year, or $20,844 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Bay de Noc Community College or West Shore Community College graduates earn more?

West Shore Community College graduates report a median $36,115 ten years after entry, $1,025 more than the $35,090 at Bay de Noc 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, Bay de Noc Community College or West Shore Community College?

West Shore Community College: its completers carry a median $9,089 in federal loans versus $12,618 at Bay de Noc Community College, a difference of $3,529. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

30% of students finish at Bay de Noc Community College, against 27% at West Shore 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.

Bay de Noc Community College vs West Shore Community College: frequently asked questions

Is Bay de Noc Community College or West Shore Community College a better value?
West Shore 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, Bay de Noc Community College or West Shore Community College?
West Shore Community College: $1,527/yr net price after aid versus $11,949/yr at Bay de Noc Community College — a difference of $10,422 a year, or about $20,844 over four years.
Do Bay de Noc Community College or West Shore Community College graduates earn more?
West Shore Community College graduates earn a median $36,115 ten years after entry, versus $35,090 at Bay de Noc Community College — a $1,025 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.