Butler Community College vs Independence 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 $34,941 at Independence Community College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Butler Community College | Independence Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $15,724 | $3,265 |
| Total net cost | $31,448 | $6,530 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $41,206 | $34,941 |
| Median debt | $10,500 | $6,115 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$174,528 | -$274,910 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Butler Community College or Independence Community College?
Independence Community College, at $3,265 a year after aid versus $15,724 — a gap of $12,459 a year, or $24,918 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 Independence Community College graduates earn more?
Butler Community College graduates report a median $41,206 ten years after entry, $6,265 more than the $34,941 at Independence 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 Independence Community College?
Independence Community College: its completers carry a median $6,115 in federal loans versus $10,500 at Butler Community College, a difference of $4,385. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
32% of students finish at Butler Community College, against 26% at Independence 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.