Degree Dividend
Sourced from federal dataEvery figure datedNo rankings for sale

The University of Olivet vs Alpena Community College: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Olivet MI · vs · Public, Alpena MI

By the Degree Dividend editorial data teamEvery figure verified against its federal source — methodologyData updated June 2026

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but The University of Olivet comes closer — median earnings $47,907 against a $85,572 total, vs $36,442 at Alpena Community College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

Share
Head to head
MeasureThe University of OlivetAlpena Community College
Net price / yr$21,393$3,320
Total net cost$85,572$6,640
Median earnings, 10 yrs$47,907$36,442
Median debt$27,000$9,024
Payback——
20-year net return-$94,632-$245,000

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

Which is cheaper, The University of Olivet or Alpena Community College?

Alpena Community College, at $3,320 a year after aid versus $21,393 — a gap of $18,073 a year, or $78,932 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do The University of Olivet or Alpena Community College graduates earn more?

The University of Olivet graduates report a median $47,907 ten years after entry, $11,465 more than the $36,442 at Alpena 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, The University of Olivet or Alpena Community College?

Alpena Community College: its completers carry a median $9,024 in federal loans versus $27,000 at The University of Olivet, a difference of $17,976. 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 Alpena Community College, against 35% at The University of Olivet. 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.

The University of Olivet vs Alpena Community College: frequently asked questions

Is The University of Olivet or Alpena Community College a better value?
The University of Olivet 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, The University of Olivet or Alpena Community College?
Alpena Community College: $3,320/yr net price after aid versus $21,393/yr at The University of Olivet — a difference of $18,073 a year, or about $78,932 over four years.
Do The University of Olivet or Alpena Community College graduates earn more?
The University of Olivet graduates earn a median $47,907 ten years after entry, versus $36,442 at Alpena Community College — a $11,465 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.