Chadron State College vs Mid-Plains Community College: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Chadron State College comes closer — median earnings $47,002 against a $50,196 total, vs $40,059 at Mid-Plains Community College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Chadron State College | Mid-Plains Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $12,549 | $5,235 |
| Total net cost | $50,196 | $10,470 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $47,002 | $40,059 |
| Median debt | $18,875 | $9,995 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$77,356 | -$176,490 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Chadron State College or Mid-Plains Community College?
Mid-Plains Community College, at $5,235 a year after aid versus $12,549 — a gap of $7,314 a year, or $39,726 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Chadron State College or Mid-Plains Community College graduates earn more?
Chadron State College graduates report a median $47,002 ten years after entry, $6,943 more than the $40,059 at Mid-Plains 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, Chadron State College or Mid-Plains Community College?
Mid-Plains Community College: its completers carry a median $9,995 in federal loans versus $18,875 at Chadron State College, a difference of $8,880. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
54% of students finish at Mid-Plains Community College, against 50% at Chadron State 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.