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Emporia State University vs Central Christian College of Kansas: which has better ROI?

Public, Emporia KS · vs · Private nonprofit, McPherson KS

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Emporia State University comes closer — median earnings $47,601 against a $65,044 total, vs $44,468 at Central Christian College of Kansas. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureEmporia State UniversityCentral Christian College of Kansas
Net price / yr$16,261$11,404
Total net cost$65,044$45,616
Median earnings, 10 yrs$47,601$44,468
Median debt$19,500$27,000
Payback
20-year net return-$80,224-$123,456

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, Emporia State University or Central Christian College of Kansas?

Central Christian College of Kansas, at $11,404 a year after aid versus $16,261 — a gap of $4,857 a year, or $19,428 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 Central Christian College of Kansas graduates earn more?

Emporia State University graduates report a median $47,601 ten years after entry, $3,133 more than the $44,468 at Central Christian College of Kansas. 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 Central Christian College of Kansas?

Emporia State University: its completers carry a median $19,500 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Central Christian College of Kansas, a difference of $7,500. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

56% of students finish at Emporia State University, against 27% at Central Christian College of Kansas. 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.

Emporia State University vs Central Christian College of Kansas: frequently asked questions

Is Emporia State University or Central Christian College of Kansas a better value?
Emporia State University comes closer, but neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings — the field you study decides it here more than the school.
Which is cheaper, Emporia State University or Central Christian College of Kansas?
Central Christian College of Kansas: $11,404/yr net price after aid versus $16,261/yr at Emporia State University — a difference of $4,857 a year, or about $19,428 over four years.
Do Emporia State University or Central Christian College of Kansas graduates earn more?
Emporia State University graduates earn a median $47,601 ten years after entry, versus $44,468 at Central Christian College of Kansas — a $3,133 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.