Plymouth State University vs Manchester Community College: which has better ROI?
Plymouth State University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $76,864 in 8.6 years versus 40.2 years at Manchester Community College, on median earnings of $57,304 vs $49,063 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Plymouth State University | Manchester Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $19,216 | $14,143 |
| Total net cost | $76,864 | $28,286 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $57,304 | $49,063 |
| Median debt | $26,000 | $15,060 |
| Payback | 8.6 yrs | 40.2 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $102,016 | -$14,226 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Plymouth State University or Manchester Community College?
Manchester Community College, at $14,143 a year after aid versus $19,216 — a gap of $5,073 a year, or $48,578 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Plymouth State University or Manchester Community College graduates earn more?
Plymouth State University graduates report a median $57,304 ten years after entry, $8,241 more than the $49,063 at Manchester 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, Plymouth State University or Manchester Community College?
Manchester Community College: its completers carry a median $15,060 in federal loans versus $26,000 at Plymouth State University, a difference of $10,940. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
52% of students finish at Plymouth State University, against 41% at Manchester 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.