Wayne State College vs Mid-Plains Community College: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Wayne State College comes closer — median earnings $47,075 against a $61,440 total, vs $40,059 at Mid-Plains Community College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Wayne State College | Mid-Plains Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $15,360 | $5,235 |
| Total net cost | $61,440 | $10,470 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $47,075 | $40,059 |
| Median debt | $19,000 | $9,995 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$87,140 | -$176,490 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Wayne State College or Mid-Plains Community College?
Mid-Plains Community College, at $5,235 a year after aid versus $15,360 — a gap of $10,125 a year, or $50,970 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Wayne State College or Mid-Plains Community College graduates earn more?
Wayne State College graduates report a median $47,075 ten years after entry, $7,016 more than the $40,059 at Mid-Plains 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, Wayne State College or Mid-Plains Community College?
Mid-Plains Community College: its completers carry a median $9,995 in federal loans versus $19,000 at Wayne State College, a difference of $9,005. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
54% of students finish at Mid-Plains Community College, against 52% at Wayne State 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.