Jefferson State Community College vs Bishop State Community College: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Jefferson State Community College comes closer — median earnings $40,719 against a $18,172 total, vs $29,916 at Bishop State Community College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Jefferson State Community College | Bishop State Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $9,086 | $5,397 |
| Total net cost | $18,172 | $21,588 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $40,719 | $29,916 |
| Median debt | $9,689 | — |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$170,992 | -$390,468 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Jefferson State Community College or Bishop State Community College?
Bishop State Community College, at $5,397 a year after aid versus $9,086 — a gap of $3,689 a year, or $3,416 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 State Community College or Bishop State Community College graduates earn more?
Jefferson State Community College graduates report a median $40,719 ten years after entry, $10,803 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?
36% of students finish at Bishop State Community College, against 26% at Jefferson 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.