Cornell College vs Central College: which has better ROI?
Central College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $93,508 in 15.7 years versus 18.5 years at Cornell College, on median earnings of $54,317 vs $53,460 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Cornell College | Central College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $23,634 | $23,377 |
| Total net cost | $94,536 | $93,508 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $53,460 | $54,317 |
| Median debt | $27,000 | $26,984 |
| Payback | 18.5 yrs | 15.7 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $7,464 | $25,632 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Cornell College or Central College?
Central College, at $23,377 a year after aid versus $23,634 — a gap of $257 a year, or $1,028 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Cornell College or Central College graduates earn more?
Central College graduates report a median $54,317 ten years after entry, $857 more than the $53,460 at Cornell 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, Cornell College or Central College?
Central College: its completers carry a median $26,984 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Cornell College, a difference of $16. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
66% of students finish at Central College, against 62% at Cornell 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.