Cornerstone University vs Alpena Community College: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Cornerstone University comes closer — median earnings $47,314 against a $81,204 total, vs $36,442 at Alpena Community College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Cornerstone University | Alpena Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $20,301 | $3,320 |
| Total net cost | $81,204 | $6,640 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $47,314 | $36,442 |
| Median debt | $25,000 | $9,024 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$102,124 | -$245,000 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Cornerstone University or Alpena Community College?
Alpena Community College, at $3,320 a year after aid versus $20,301 — a gap of $16,981 a year, or $74,564 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Cornerstone University or Alpena Community College graduates earn more?
Cornerstone University graduates report a median $47,314 ten years after entry, $10,872 more than the $36,442 at Alpena 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, Cornerstone University or Alpena Community College?
Alpena Community College: its completers carry a median $9,024 in federal loans versus $25,000 at Cornerstone University, a difference of $15,976. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
62% of students finish at Cornerstone University, against 52% at Alpena 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.