Wayne State University vs Wayne County Community College District: which has better ROI?
Wayne State University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $51,064 in 9.9 years versus not at all at Wayne County Community College District, on median earnings of $53,493 vs $29,079 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Wayne State University | Wayne County Community College District |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $12,766 | $7,656 |
| Total net cost | $51,064 | $15,312 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $53,493 | $29,079 |
| Median debt | $21,250 | $12,062 |
| Payback | 9.9 yrs | — |
| 20-year net return | $51,596 | -$400,932 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Wayne State University or Wayne County Community College District?
Wayne County Community College District, at $7,656 a year after aid versus $12,766 — a gap of $5,110 a year, or $35,752 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 University or Wayne County Community College District graduates earn more?
Wayne State University graduates report a median $53,493 ten years after entry, $24,414 more than the $29,079 at Wayne County Community College District. 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 University or Wayne County Community College District?
Wayne County Community College District: its completers carry a median $12,062 in federal loans versus $21,250 at Wayne State University, a difference of $9,188. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
58% of students finish at Wayne State University, against 22% at Wayne County Community College District. 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.