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Graceland University-Lamoni vs Emmaus Bible College: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Lamoni IA · vs · Private nonprofit, Dubuque IA

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Graceland University-Lamoni comes closer — median earnings $47,361 against a $74,016 total, vs $42,631 at Emmaus Bible College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureGraceland University-LamoniEmmaus Bible College
Net price / yr$18,504$13,186
Total net cost$74,016$52,744
Median earnings, 10 yrs$47,361$42,631
Median debt$21,212$15,750
Payback
20-year net return-$93,996-$167,324

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

Which is cheaper, Graceland University-Lamoni or Emmaus Bible College?

Emmaus Bible College, at $13,186 a year after aid versus $18,504 — a gap of $5,318 a year, or $21,272 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Graceland University-Lamoni or Emmaus Bible College graduates earn more?

Graceland University-Lamoni graduates report a median $47,361 ten years after entry, $4,730 more than the $42,631 at Emmaus Bible 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, Graceland University-Lamoni or Emmaus Bible College?

Emmaus Bible College: its completers carry a median $15,750 in federal loans versus $21,212 at Graceland University-Lamoni, a difference of $5,462. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

83% of students finish at Emmaus Bible College, against 42% at Graceland University-Lamoni. 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.

Graceland University-Lamoni vs Emmaus Bible College: frequently asked questions

Is Graceland University-Lamoni or Emmaus Bible College a better value?
Graceland University-Lamoni 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, Graceland University-Lamoni or Emmaus Bible College?
Emmaus Bible College: $13,186/yr net price after aid versus $18,504/yr at Graceland University-Lamoni — a difference of $5,318 a year, or about $21,272 over four years.
Do Graceland University-Lamoni or Emmaus Bible College graduates earn more?
Graceland University-Lamoni graduates earn a median $47,361 ten years after entry, versus $42,631 at Emmaus Bible College — a $4,730 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.