Howard Community College vs St. John's College: which has better ROI?
Howard Community College has the better ROI: it clears its 2-year net cost of $22,266 in 33.7 years versus 56.6 years at St. John's College, on median earnings of $49,020 vs $51,584 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Howard Community College | St. John's College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $11,133 | $45,597 |
| Total net cost | $22,266 | $182,388 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $49,020 | $51,584 |
| Median debt | $10,500 | $27,000 |
| Payback | 33.7 yrs | 56.6 yrs |
| 20-year net return | -$9,066 | -$117,908 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Howard Community College or St. John's College?
Howard Community College, at $11,133 a year after aid versus $45,597 — a gap of $34,464 a year, or $160,122 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Howard Community College or St. John's College graduates earn more?
St. John's College graduates report a median $51,584 ten years after entry, $2,564 more than the $49,020 at Howard 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, Howard Community College or St. John's College?
Howard Community College: its completers carry a median $10,500 in federal loans versus $27,000 at St. John's College, a difference of $16,500. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
71% of students finish at St. John's College, against 24% at Howard Community 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.