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Big Sandy Community and Technical College vs Asbury University: which has better ROI?

Public, Prestonsburg KY · vs · Private nonprofit, Wilmore KY

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Asbury University comes closer — median earnings $42,368 against a $85,604 total, vs $32,954 at Big Sandy Community and Technical College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureBig Sandy Community and Technical CollegeAsbury University
Net price / yr$3,873$21,401
Total net cost$15,492$85,604
Median earnings, 10 yrs$32,954$42,368
Median debt$9,357$24,028
Payback
20-year net return-$323,612-$205,444

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

Which is cheaper, Big Sandy Community and Technical College or Asbury University?

Big Sandy Community and Technical College, at $3,873 a year after aid versus $21,401 — a gap of $17,528 a year, or $70,112 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Big Sandy Community and Technical College or Asbury University graduates earn more?

Asbury University graduates report a median $42,368 ten years after entry, $9,414 more than the $32,954 at Big Sandy Community and 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, Big Sandy Community and Technical College or Asbury University?

Big Sandy Community and Technical College: its completers carry a median $9,357 in federal loans versus $24,028 at Asbury University, a difference of $14,671. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

65% of students finish at Asbury University, against 38% at Big Sandy Community and Technical 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.

Big Sandy Community and Technical College vs Asbury University: frequently asked questions

Is Big Sandy Community and Technical College or Asbury University a better value?
Asbury 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, Big Sandy Community and Technical College or Asbury University?
Big Sandy Community and Technical College: $3,873/yr net price after aid versus $21,401/yr at Asbury University — a difference of $17,528 a year, or about $70,112 over four years.
Do Big Sandy Community and Technical College or Asbury University graduates earn more?
Asbury University graduates earn a median $42,368 ten years after entry, versus $32,954 at Big Sandy Community and Technical College — a $9,414 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.