Degree Dividend
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College for Creative Studies vs Bay Mills Community College: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Detroit MI · vs · Public, Brimley MI

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but College for Creative Studies comes closer — median earnings $44,860 against a $138,468 total, vs $30,048 at Bay Mills Community College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureCollege for Creative StudiesBay Mills Community College
Net price / yr$34,617$3,073
Total net cost$138,468$12,292
Median earnings, 10 yrs$44,860$30,048
Median debt$26,000
Payback
20-year net return-$208,468-$378,532

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, College for Creative Studies or Bay Mills Community College?

Bay Mills Community College, at $3,073 a year after aid versus $34,617 — a gap of $31,544 a year, or $126,176 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do College for Creative Studies or Bay Mills Community College graduates earn more?

College for Creative Studies graduates report a median $44,860 ten years after entry, $14,812 more than the $30,048 at Bay Mills 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?

71% of students finish at College for Creative Studies, against 30% at Bay Mills 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.

College for Creative Studies vs Bay Mills Community College: frequently asked questions

Is College for Creative Studies or Bay Mills Community College a better value?
College for Creative Studies comes closer, but neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings — the field you study decides it here more than the school.
Which is cheaper, College for Creative Studies or Bay Mills Community College?
Bay Mills Community College: $3,073/yr net price after aid versus $34,617/yr at College for Creative Studies — a difference of $31,544 a year, or about $126,176 over four years.
Do College for Creative Studies or Bay Mills Community College graduates earn more?
College for Creative Studies graduates earn a median $44,860 ten years after entry, versus $30,048 at Bay Mills Community College — a $14,812 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.