Degree Dividend
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Schoolcraft Community College District vs College for Creative Studies: which has better ROI?

Public, Livonia MI · vs · Private nonprofit, Detroit MI

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Schoolcraft Community College District comes closer — median earnings $42,722 against a $4,520 total, vs $44,860 at College for Creative Studies. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureSchoolcraft Community College DistrictCollege for Creative Studies
Net price / yr$2,260$34,617
Total net cost$4,520$138,468
Median earnings, 10 yrs$42,722$44,860
Median debt$10,500$26,000
Payback
20-year net return-$117,280-$208,468

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

Which is cheaper, Schoolcraft Community College District or College for Creative Studies?

Schoolcraft Community College District, at $2,260 a year after aid versus $34,617 — a gap of $32,357 a year, or $133,948 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Schoolcraft Community College District or College for Creative Studies graduates earn more?

College for Creative Studies graduates report a median $44,860 ten years after entry, $2,138 more than the $42,722 at Schoolcraft Community College District. 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, Schoolcraft Community College District or College for Creative Studies?

Schoolcraft Community College District: its completers carry a median $10,500 in federal loans versus $26,000 at College for Creative Studies, a difference of $15,500. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

71% of students finish at College for Creative Studies, against 18% at Schoolcraft Community College District. 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.

Schoolcraft Community College District vs College for Creative Studies: frequently asked questions

Is Schoolcraft Community College District or College for Creative Studies a better value?
Schoolcraft Community College District 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, Schoolcraft Community College District or College for Creative Studies?
Schoolcraft Community College District: $2,260/yr net price after aid versus $34,617/yr at College for Creative Studies — a difference of $32,357 a year, or about $133,948 over four years.
Do Schoolcraft Community College District or College for Creative Studies graduates earn more?
College for Creative Studies graduates earn a median $44,860 ten years after entry, versus $42,722 at Schoolcraft Community College District — a $2,138 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.