Degree Dividend
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Northeast Mississippi Community College vs Belhaven University: which has better ROI?

Public, Booneville MS · vs · Private nonprofit, Jackson MS

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Belhaven University comes closer — median earnings $46,440 against a $62,704 total, vs $34,081 at Northeast Mississippi Community College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureNortheast Mississippi Community CollegeBelhaven University
Net price / yr$8,343$15,676
Total net cost$16,686$62,704
Median earnings, 10 yrs$34,081$46,440
Median debt$9,722$26,333
Payback
20-year net return-$302,266-$101,104

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

Which is cheaper, Northeast Mississippi Community College or Belhaven University?

Northeast Mississippi Community College, at $8,343 a year after aid versus $15,676 — a gap of $7,333 a year, or $46,018 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Northeast Mississippi Community College or Belhaven University graduates earn more?

Belhaven University graduates report a median $46,440 ten years after entry, $12,359 more than the $34,081 at Northeast Mississippi 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, Northeast Mississippi Community College or Belhaven University?

Northeast Mississippi Community College: its completers carry a median $9,722 in federal loans versus $26,333 at Belhaven University, a difference of $16,611. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

49% of students finish at Belhaven University, against 34% at Northeast Mississippi 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.

Northeast Mississippi Community College vs Belhaven University: frequently asked questions

Is Northeast Mississippi Community College or Belhaven University a better value?
Belhaven University 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, Northeast Mississippi Community College or Belhaven University?
Northeast Mississippi Community College: $8,343/yr net price after aid versus $15,676/yr at Belhaven University — a difference of $7,333 a year, or about $46,018 over four years.
Do Northeast Mississippi Community College or Belhaven University graduates earn more?
Belhaven University graduates earn a median $46,440 ten years after entry, versus $34,081 at Northeast Mississippi Community College — a $12,359 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.