Jackson College vs Bay de Noc Community College: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Jackson College comes closer — median earnings $36,898 against a $31,044 total, vs $35,090 at Bay de Noc Community College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Jackson College | Bay de Noc Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $7,761 | $11,949 |
| Total net cost | $31,044 | $23,898 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $36,898 | $35,090 |
| Median debt | $13,875 | $12,618 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$260,284 | -$289,298 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Jackson College or Bay de Noc Community College?
Jackson College, at $7,761 a year after aid versus $11,949 — a gap of $4,188 a year, or $7,146 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Jackson College or Bay de Noc Community College graduates earn more?
Jackson College graduates report a median $36,898 ten years after entry, $1,808 more than the $35,090 at Bay de Noc 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, Jackson College or Bay de Noc Community College?
Bay de Noc Community College: its completers carry a median $12,618 in federal loans versus $13,875 at Jackson College, a difference of $1,257. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
30% of students finish at Bay de Noc Community College, against 16% at Jackson 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.