Ottawa University-Ottawa vs Manhattan Area Technical College: which has better ROI?
Manhattan Area Technical College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $40,296 in 11.5 years versus 15.6 years at Ottawa University-Ottawa, on median earnings of $51,864 vs $55,552 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Ottawa University-Ottawa | Manhattan Area Technical College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $27,963 | $10,074 |
| Total net cost | $111,852 | $40,296 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $55,552 | $51,864 |
| Median debt | $21,500 | $9,500 |
| Payback | 15.6 yrs | 11.5 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $31,988 | $29,784 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Ottawa University-Ottawa or Manhattan Area Technical College?
Manhattan Area Technical College, at $10,074 a year after aid versus $27,963 — a gap of $17,889 a year, or $71,556 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Ottawa University-Ottawa or Manhattan Area Technical College graduates earn more?
Ottawa University-Ottawa graduates report a median $55,552 ten years after entry, $3,688 more than the $51,864 at Manhattan Area 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, Ottawa University-Ottawa or Manhattan Area Technical College?
Manhattan Area Technical College: its completers carry a median $9,500 in federal loans versus $21,500 at Ottawa University-Ottawa, a difference of $12,000. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
74% of students finish at Manhattan Area Technical College, against 28% at Ottawa University-Ottawa. 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.