Chadron State College vs Nebraska Indian 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 $31,458 at Nebraska Indian Community College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Chadron State College | Nebraska Indian Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $12,549 | $23,334 |
| Total net cost | $50,196 | $46,668 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $47,002 | $31,458 |
| Median debt | $18,875 | — |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$77,356 | -$384,708 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Chadron State College or Nebraska Indian Community College?
Chadron State College, at $12,549 a year after aid versus $23,334 — a gap of $10,785 a year, or $3,528 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 Nebraska Indian Community College graduates earn more?
Chadron State College graduates report a median $47,002 ten years after entry, $15,544 more than the $31,458 at Nebraska Indian 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?
50% of students finish at Chadron State College, against 22% at Nebraska Indian 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.