Cleveland State Community College vs Johnson University: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Johnson University comes closer — median earnings $40,596 against a $88,252 total, vs $36,671 at Cleveland State Community College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Cleveland State Community College | Johnson University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $6,384 | $22,063 |
| Total net cost | $12,768 | $88,252 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $36,671 | $40,596 |
| Median debt | $7,954 | $21,500 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$246,548 | -$243,532 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Cleveland State Community College or Johnson University?
Cleveland State Community College, at $6,384 a year after aid versus $22,063 — a gap of $15,679 a year, or $75,484 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Cleveland State Community College or Johnson University graduates earn more?
Johnson University graduates report a median $40,596 ten years after entry, $3,925 more than the $36,671 at Cleveland State 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, Cleveland State Community College or Johnson University?
Cleveland State Community College: its completers carry a median $7,954 in federal loans versus $21,500 at Johnson University, a difference of $13,546. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
57% of students finish at Johnson University, against 37% at Cleveland State 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.