Washtenaw Community College vs Bay de Noc Community College: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Washtenaw Community College comes closer — median earnings $39,449 against a $12,996 total, vs $35,090 at Bay de Noc Community College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Washtenaw Community College | Bay de Noc Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $3,249 | $11,949 |
| Total net cost | $12,996 | $23,898 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $39,449 | $35,090 |
| Median debt | $13,310 | $12,618 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$191,216 | -$289,298 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Washtenaw Community College or Bay de Noc Community College?
Washtenaw Community College, at $3,249 a year after aid versus $11,949 — a gap of $8,700 a year, or $10,902 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Washtenaw Community College or Bay de Noc Community College graduates earn more?
Washtenaw Community College graduates report a median $39,449 ten years after entry, $4,359 more than the $35,090 at Bay de Noc 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, Washtenaw Community College or Bay de Noc Community College?
Bay de Noc Community College: its completers carry a median $12,618 in federal loans versus $13,310 at Washtenaw Community College, a difference of $692. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
33% of students finish at Washtenaw Community College, against 30% at Bay de Noc 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.