Dyersburg State Community College vs Cleveland State Community College: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Cleveland State Community College comes closer — median earnings $36,671 against a $12,768 total, vs $36,132 at Dyersburg State Community College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Dyersburg State Community College | Cleveland State Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $4,612 | $6,384 |
| Total net cost | $9,224 | $12,768 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $36,132 | $36,671 |
| Median debt | $6,900 | $7,954 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$253,784 | -$246,548 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Dyersburg State Community College or Cleveland State Community College?
Dyersburg State Community College, at $4,612 a year after aid versus $6,384 — a gap of $1,772 a year, or $3,544 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Dyersburg State Community College or Cleveland State Community College graduates earn more?
Cleveland State Community College graduates report a median $36,671 ten years after entry, $539 more than the $36,132 at Dyersburg State 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, Dyersburg State Community College or Cleveland State Community College?
Dyersburg State Community College: its completers carry a median $6,900 in federal loans versus $7,954 at Cleveland State Community College, a difference of $1,054. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
37% of students finish at Cleveland State Community College, against 34% at Dyersburg State 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.