Jacksonville State University vs Bishop State Community College: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Jacksonville State University comes closer — median earnings $45,235 against a $57,116 total, vs $29,916 at Bishop State Community College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Jacksonville State University | Bishop State Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $14,279 | $5,397 |
| Total net cost | $57,116 | $21,588 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $45,235 | $29,916 |
| Median debt | $22,189 | — |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$119,616 | -$390,468 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Jacksonville State University or Bishop State Community College?
Bishop State Community College, at $5,397 a year after aid versus $14,279 — a gap of $8,882 a year, or $35,528 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Jacksonville State University or Bishop State Community College graduates earn more?
Jacksonville State University graduates report a median $45,235 ten years after entry, $15,319 more than the $29,916 at Bishop State 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 graduates more of its students?
55% of students finish at Jacksonville State University, against 36% at Bishop State 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.