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Flint Hills Technical College vs Bellus Academy: which has better ROI?

Public, Emporia KS · vs · Private for-profit, Manhattan KS

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Flint Hills Technical College comes closer — median earnings $47,007 against a $64,068 total, vs $25,223 at Bellus Academy. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureFlint Hills Technical CollegeBellus Academy
Net price / yr$16,017$26,631
Total net cost$64,068$106,524
Median earnings, 10 yrs$47,007$25,223
Median debt$6,625$7,917
Payback
20-year net return-$91,128-$569,264

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

Which is cheaper, Flint Hills Technical College or Bellus Academy?

Flint Hills Technical College, at $16,017 a year after aid versus $26,631 — a gap of $10,614 a year, or $42,456 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Flint Hills Technical College or Bellus Academy graduates earn more?

Flint Hills Technical College graduates report a median $47,007 ten years after entry, $21,784 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, Flint Hills Technical College or Bellus Academy?

Flint Hills Technical College: its completers carry a median $6,625 in federal loans versus $7,917 at Bellus Academy, a difference of $1,292. 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 68% at Flint Hills Technical 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.

Flint Hills Technical College vs Bellus Academy: frequently asked questions

Is Flint Hills Technical College or Bellus Academy a better value?
Flint Hills Technical College 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, Flint Hills Technical College or Bellus Academy?
Flint Hills Technical College: $16,017/yr net price after aid versus $26,631/yr at Bellus Academy — a difference of $10,614 a year, or about $42,456 over four years.
Do Flint Hills Technical College or Bellus Academy graduates earn more?
Flint Hills Technical College graduates earn a median $47,007 ten years after entry, versus $25,223 at Bellus Academy — a $21,784 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.