Copiah-Lincoln Community College vs Rust College: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Copiah-Lincoln Community College comes closer — median earnings $31,241 against a $7,788 total, vs $32,275 at Rust College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Copiah-Lincoln Community College | Rust College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $3,894 | $12,587 |
| Total net cost | $7,788 | $50,348 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $31,241 | $32,275 |
| Median debt | $7,435 | $26,159 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$350,168 | -$372,048 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Copiah-Lincoln Community College or Rust College?
Copiah-Lincoln Community College, at $3,894 a year after aid versus $12,587 — a gap of $8,693 a year, or $42,560 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 Rust College graduates earn more?
Rust College graduates report a median $32,275 ten years after entry, $1,034 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 Rust College?
Copiah-Lincoln Community College: its completers carry a median $7,435 in federal loans versus $26,159 at Rust College, a difference of $18,724. 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 12% at Rust 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.