Degree Dividend
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Copiah-Lincoln Community College vs Belhaven University: which has better ROI?

Public, Wesson MS · vs · Private nonprofit, Jackson MS

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Belhaven University comes closer — median earnings $46,440 against a $62,704 total, vs $31,241 at Copiah-Lincoln Community College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureCopiah-Lincoln Community CollegeBelhaven University
Net price / yr$3,894$15,676
Total net cost$7,788$62,704
Median earnings, 10 yrs$31,241$46,440
Median debt$7,435$26,333
Payback
20-year net return-$350,168-$101,104

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

Which is cheaper, Copiah-Lincoln Community College or Belhaven University?

Copiah-Lincoln Community College, at $3,894 a year after aid versus $15,676 — a gap of $11,782 a year, or $54,916 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Copiah-Lincoln Community College or Belhaven University graduates earn more?

Belhaven University graduates report a median $46,440 ten years after entry, $15,199 more than the $31,241 at Copiah-Lincoln 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, Copiah-Lincoln Community College or Belhaven University?

Copiah-Lincoln Community College: its completers carry a median $7,435 in federal loans versus $26,333 at Belhaven University, a difference of $18,898. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

50% of students finish at Copiah-Lincoln Community College, against 49% at Belhaven University. 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.

Copiah-Lincoln Community College vs Belhaven University: frequently asked questions

Is Copiah-Lincoln Community College or Belhaven University a better value?
Belhaven University 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, Copiah-Lincoln Community College or Belhaven University?
Copiah-Lincoln Community College: $3,894/yr net price after aid versus $15,676/yr at Belhaven University — a difference of $11,782 a year, or about $54,916 over four years.
Do Copiah-Lincoln Community College or Belhaven University graduates earn more?
Belhaven University graduates earn a median $46,440 ten years after entry, versus $31,241 at Copiah-Lincoln Community College — a $15,199 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.