Bishop State Community College vs South University-Montgomery: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but South University-Montgomery comes closer — median earnings $34,421 against a $111,228 total, vs $29,916 at Bishop State Community College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Bishop State Community College | South University-Montgomery |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $5,397 | $27,807 |
| Total net cost | $21,588 | $111,228 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $29,916 | $34,421 |
| Median debt | — | $26,123 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$390,468 | -$390,008 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Bishop State Community College or South University-Montgomery?
Bishop State Community College, at $5,397 a year after aid versus $27,807 — a gap of $22,410 a year, or $89,640 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 South University-Montgomery graduates earn more?
South University-Montgomery graduates report a median $34,421 ten years after entry, $4,505 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?
36% of students finish at Bishop State Community College, against 9% at South University-Montgomery. 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.