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Columbia College vs WellSpring School of Allied Health-Kansas City: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Columbia MO · vs · Private for-profit, Kansas City MO

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Columbia College comes closer — median earnings $45,378 against a $90,860 total, vs $29,839 at WellSpring School of Allied Health-Kansas City. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureColumbia CollegeWellSpring School of Allied Health-Kansas City
Net price / yr$22,715$14,277
Total net cost$90,860$57,108
Median earnings, 10 yrs$45,378$29,839
Median debt$23,879$7,917
Payback
20-year net return-$150,500-$427,528

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

Which is cheaper, Columbia College or WellSpring School of Allied Health-Kansas City?

WellSpring School of Allied Health-Kansas City, at $14,277 a year after aid versus $22,715 — a gap of $8,438 a year, or $33,752 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Columbia College or WellSpring School of Allied Health-Kansas City graduates earn more?

Columbia College graduates report a median $45,378 ten years after entry, $15,539 more than the $29,839 at WellSpring School of Allied Health-Kansas City. 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, Columbia College or WellSpring School of Allied Health-Kansas City?

WellSpring School of Allied Health-Kansas City: its completers carry a median $7,917 in federal loans versus $23,879 at Columbia College, a difference of $15,962. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

67% of students finish at WellSpring School of Allied Health-Kansas City, against 42% at Columbia 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.

Columbia College vs WellSpring School of Allied Health-Kansas City: frequently asked questions

Is Columbia College or WellSpring School of Allied Health-Kansas City a better value?
Columbia College 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, Columbia College or WellSpring School of Allied Health-Kansas City?
WellSpring School of Allied Health-Kansas City: $14,277/yr net price after aid versus $22,715/yr at Columbia College — a difference of $8,438 a year, or about $33,752 over four years.
Do Columbia College or WellSpring School of Allied Health-Kansas City graduates earn more?
Columbia College graduates earn a median $45,378 ten years after entry, versus $29,839 at WellSpring School of Allied Health-Kansas City — a $15,539 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.