Degree Dividend
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Seward County Community College vs Bellus Academy: which has better ROI?

Public, Liberal KS · vs · Private for-profit, Manhattan KS

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Seward County Community College comes closer — median earnings $41,445 against a $26,868 total, vs $25,223 at Bellus Academy. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureSeward County Community CollegeBellus Academy
Net price / yr$6,717$26,631
Total net cost$26,868$106,524
Median earnings, 10 yrs$41,445$25,223
Median debt$6,500$7,917
Payback
20-year net return-$165,168-$569,264

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

Which is cheaper, Seward County Community College or Bellus Academy?

Seward County Community College, at $6,717 a year after aid versus $26,631 — a gap of $19,914 a year, or $79,656 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Seward County Community College or Bellus Academy graduates earn more?

Seward County Community College graduates report a median $41,445 ten years after entry, $16,222 more than the $25,223 at Bellus Academy. 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, Seward County Community College or Bellus Academy?

Seward County Community College: its completers carry a median $6,500 in federal loans versus $7,917 at Bellus Academy, a difference of $1,417. 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 Bellus Academy, against 50% at Seward County 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.

Seward County Community College vs Bellus Academy: frequently asked questions

Is Seward County Community College or Bellus Academy a better value?
Seward County Community College 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, Seward County Community College or Bellus Academy?
Seward County Community College: $6,717/yr net price after aid versus $26,631/yr at Bellus Academy — a difference of $19,914 a year, or about $79,656 over four years.
Do Seward County Community College or Bellus Academy graduates earn more?
Seward County Community College graduates earn a median $41,445 ten years after entry, versus $25,223 at Bellus Academy — a $16,222 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.