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Jefferson Community and Technical College vs Ashland Community and Technical College: which has better ROI?

Public, Louisville KY · vs · Public, Ashland KY

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Jefferson Community and Technical College comes closer — median earnings $38,171 against a $25,504 total, vs $34,504 at Ashland Community and Technical College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureJefferson Community and Technical CollegeAshland Community and Technical College
Net price / yr$6,376$5,717
Total net cost$25,504$22,868
Median earnings, 10 yrs$38,171$34,504
Median debt$11,651$10,950
Payback
20-year net return-$229,284-$299,988

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

Which is cheaper, Jefferson Community and Technical College or Ashland Community and Technical College?

Ashland Community and Technical College, at $5,717 a year after aid versus $6,376 — a gap of $659 a year, or $2,636 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Jefferson Community and Technical College or Ashland Community and Technical College graduates earn more?

Jefferson Community and Technical College graduates report a median $38,171 ten years after entry, $3,667 more than the $34,504 at Ashland Community and Technical 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, Jefferson Community and Technical College or Ashland Community and Technical College?

Ashland Community and Technical College: its completers carry a median $10,950 in federal loans versus $11,651 at Jefferson Community and Technical College, a difference of $701. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

51% of students finish at Ashland Community and Technical College, against 35% at Jefferson Community and Technical 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.

Jefferson Community and Technical College vs Ashland Community and Technical College: frequently asked questions

Is Jefferson Community and Technical College or Ashland Community and Technical College a better value?
Jefferson Community and Technical College 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, Jefferson Community and Technical College or Ashland Community and Technical College?
Ashland Community and Technical College: $5,717/yr net price after aid versus $6,376/yr at Jefferson Community and Technical College — a difference of $659 a year, or about $2,636 over four years.
Do Jefferson Community and Technical College or Ashland Community and Technical College graduates earn more?
Jefferson Community and Technical College graduates earn a median $38,171 ten years after entry, versus $34,504 at Ashland Community and Technical College — a $3,667 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.