Daytona State College vs Bethune-Cookman University: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Daytona State College comes closer — median earnings $37,096 against a $14,354 total, vs $38,518 at Bethune-Cookman University. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Daytona State College | Bethune-Cookman University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $7,177 | $12,030 |
| Total net cost | $14,354 | $48,120 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $37,096 | $38,518 |
| Median debt | $8,250 | $31,000 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$239,634 | -$244,960 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Daytona State College or Bethune-Cookman University?
Daytona State College, at $7,177 a year after aid versus $12,030 — a gap of $4,853 a year, or $33,766 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Daytona State College or Bethune-Cookman University graduates earn more?
Bethune-Cookman University graduates report a median $38,518 ten years after entry, $1,422 more than the $37,096 at Daytona State 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, Daytona State College or Bethune-Cookman University?
Daytona State College: its completers carry a median $8,250 in federal loans versus $31,000 at Bethune-Cookman University, a difference of $22,750. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
43% of students finish at Daytona State College, against 31% at Bethune-Cookman 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.