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Suffolk County Community College vs Eastern Suffolk BOCES: which has better ROI?

Public, Selden NY · vs · Public, Sayville NY

The verdict

Eastern Suffolk BOCES has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $98,228 in 6.5 years versus 6.8 years at Suffolk County Community College, on median earnings of $63,394 vs $49,907 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureSuffolk County Community CollegeEastern Suffolk BOCES
Net price / yr$5,258$24,557
Total net cost$10,516$98,228
Median earnings, 10 yrs$49,907$63,394
Median debt$8,250$9,500
Payback6.8 yrs6.5 yrs
20-year net return$20,424$202,452

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

Which is cheaper, Suffolk County Community College or Eastern Suffolk BOCES?

Suffolk County Community College, at $5,258 a year after aid versus $24,557 — a gap of $19,299 a year, or $87,712 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Suffolk County Community College or Eastern Suffolk BOCES graduates earn more?

Eastern Suffolk BOCES graduates report a median $63,394 ten years after entry, $13,487 more than the $49,907 at Suffolk County 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, Suffolk County Community College or Eastern Suffolk BOCES?

Suffolk County Community College: its completers carry a median $8,250 in federal loans versus $9,500 at Eastern Suffolk BOCES, a difference of $1,250. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

77% of students finish at Eastern Suffolk BOCES, against 29% at Suffolk 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.

Suffolk County Community College vs Eastern Suffolk BOCES: frequently asked questions

Is Suffolk County Community College or Eastern Suffolk BOCES a better value?
Eastern Suffolk BOCES. It clears its $98,228 net cost in about 6.5 years versus 6.8 years at Suffolk County Community College, on median earnings of $63,394 vs $49,907 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Suffolk County Community College or Eastern Suffolk BOCES?
Suffolk County Community College: $5,258/yr net price after aid versus $24,557/yr at Eastern Suffolk BOCES — a difference of $19,299 a year, or about $87,712 over four years.
Do Suffolk County Community College or Eastern Suffolk BOCES graduates earn more?
Eastern Suffolk BOCES graduates earn a median $63,394 ten years after entry, versus $49,907 at Suffolk County Community College — a $13,487 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.