Carl Sandburg College vs Shawnee Community College: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Carl Sandburg College comes closer — median earnings $35,274 against a $7,324 total, vs $32,999 at Shawnee Community College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Carl Sandburg College | Shawnee Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $3,662 | $4,162 |
| Total net cost | $7,324 | $16,648 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $35,274 | $32,999 |
| Median debt | $4,909 | — |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$269,044 | -$323,868 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Carl Sandburg College or Shawnee Community College?
Carl Sandburg College, at $3,662 a year after aid versus $4,162 — a gap of $500 a year, or $9,324 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Carl Sandburg College or Shawnee Community College graduates earn more?
Carl Sandburg College graduates report a median $35,274 ten years after entry, $2,275 more than the $32,999 at Shawnee 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?
60% of students finish at Shawnee Community College, against 50% at Carl Sandburg 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.