John Brown University vs Hendrix College: which has better ROI?
Hendrix College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $96,596 in 8 years versus 14.7 years at John Brown University, on median earnings of $60,376 vs $53,907 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | John Brown University | Hendrix College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $20,397 | $24,149 |
| Total net cost | $81,588 | $96,596 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $53,907 | $60,376 |
| Median debt | $21,250 | $26,688 |
| Payback | 14.7 yrs | 8 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $29,352 | $143,724 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, John Brown University or Hendrix College?
John Brown University, at $20,397 a year after aid versus $24,149 — a gap of $3,752 a year, or $15,008 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do John Brown University or Hendrix College graduates earn more?
Hendrix College graduates report a median $60,376 ten years after entry, $6,469 more than the $53,907 at John Brown University. 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, John Brown University or Hendrix College?
John Brown University: its completers carry a median $21,250 in federal loans versus $26,688 at Hendrix College, a difference of $5,438. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
72% of students finish at Hendrix College, against 72% at John Brown University. 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.