Emporia State University vs Bellus Academy: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Emporia State University comes closer — median earnings $47,601 against a $65,044 total, vs $25,223 at Bellus Academy. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Emporia State University | Bellus Academy |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $16,261 | $26,631 |
| Total net cost | $65,044 | $106,524 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $47,601 | $25,223 |
| Median debt | $19,500 | $7,917 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$80,224 | -$569,264 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Emporia State University or Bellus Academy?
Emporia State University, at $16,261 a year after aid versus $26,631 — a gap of $10,370 a year, or $41,480 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Emporia State University or Bellus Academy graduates earn more?
Emporia State University graduates report a median $47,601 ten years after entry, $22,378 more than the $25,223 at Bellus Academy. 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, Emporia State University or Bellus Academy?
Bellus Academy: its completers carry a median $7,917 in federal loans versus $19,500 at Emporia State University, a difference of $11,583. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
74% of students finish at Bellus Academy, against 56% at Emporia State 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.