Degree Dividend
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Highland Community College vs Central Christian College of Kansas: which has better ROI?

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

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Central Christian College of Kansas comes closer — median earnings $44,468 against a $45,616 total, vs $41,291 at Highland Community College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureHighland Community CollegeCentral Christian College of Kansas
Net price / yr$10,454$11,404
Total net cost$41,816$45,616
Median earnings, 10 yrs$41,291$44,468
Median debt$8,277$27,000
Payback
20-year net return-$183,196-$123,456

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

Which is cheaper, Highland Community College or Central Christian College of Kansas?

Highland Community College, at $10,454 a year after aid versus $11,404 — a gap of $950 a year, or $3,800 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Highland Community College or Central Christian College of Kansas graduates earn more?

Central Christian College of Kansas graduates report a median $44,468 ten years after entry, $3,177 more than the $41,291 at Highland 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, Highland Community College or Central Christian College of Kansas?

Highland Community College: its completers carry a median $8,277 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Central Christian College of Kansas, a difference of $18,723. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

39% of students finish at Highland Community College, 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.

Highland Community College vs Central Christian College of Kansas: frequently asked questions

Is Highland Community College or Central Christian College of Kansas a better value?
Central Christian College of Kansas 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, Highland Community College or Central Christian College of Kansas?
Highland Community College: $10,454/yr net price after aid versus $11,404/yr at Central Christian College of Kansas — a difference of $950 a year, or about $3,800 over four years.
Do Highland Community College or Central Christian College of Kansas graduates earn more?
Central Christian College of Kansas graduates earn a median $44,468 ten years after entry, versus $41,291 at Highland Community College — a $3,177 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.