Degree Dividend
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Bishop State Community College vs Oakwood University: which has better ROI?

Public, Mobile AL · vs · Private nonprofit, Huntsville AL

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Oakwood University comes closer — median earnings $42,488 against a $102,676 total, vs $29,916 at Bishop State Community College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureBishop State Community CollegeOakwood University
Net price / yr$5,397$25,669
Total net cost$21,588$102,676
Median earnings, 10 yrs$29,916$42,488
Median debt$27,000
Payback
20-year net return-$390,468-$220,116

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

Which is cheaper, Bishop State Community College or Oakwood University?

Bishop State Community College, at $5,397 a year after aid versus $25,669 — a gap of $20,272 a year, or $81,088 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Bishop State Community College or Oakwood University graduates earn more?

Oakwood University graduates report a median $42,488 ten years after entry, $12,572 more than the $29,916 at Bishop State 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 graduates more of its students?

45% of students finish at Oakwood University, against 36% at Bishop State 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.

Bishop State Community College vs Oakwood University: frequently asked questions

Is Bishop State Community College or Oakwood University a better value?
Oakwood 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, Bishop State Community College or Oakwood University?
Bishop State Community College: $5,397/yr net price after aid versus $25,669/yr at Oakwood University — a difference of $20,272 a year, or about $81,088 over four years.
Do Bishop State Community College or Oakwood University graduates earn more?
Oakwood University graduates earn a median $42,488 ten years after entry, versus $29,916 at Bishop State Community College — a $12,572 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.