Butler Community College vs Cowley County Community College: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Butler Community College comes closer — median earnings $41,206 against a $31,448 total, vs $37,723 at Cowley County Community College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Butler Community College | Cowley County Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $15,724 | $7,175 |
| Total net cost | $31,448 | $28,700 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $41,206 | $37,723 |
| Median debt | $10,500 | $8,000 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$174,528 | -$241,440 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Butler Community College or Cowley County Community College?
Cowley County Community College, at $7,175 a year after aid versus $15,724 — a gap of $8,549 a year, or $2,748 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Butler Community College or Cowley County Community College graduates earn more?
Butler Community College graduates report a median $41,206 ten years after entry, $3,483 more than the $37,723 at Cowley 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, Butler Community College or Cowley County Community College?
Cowley County Community College: its completers carry a median $8,000 in federal loans versus $10,500 at Butler Community College, a difference of $2,500. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
45% of students finish at Cowley County Community College, against 32% at Butler 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.