Wichita State University-Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology vs Barton County Community College: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Barton County Community College comes closer — median earnings $40,428 against a $39,620 total, vs $38,679 at Wichita State University-Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Wichita State University-Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology | Barton County Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $8,805 | $9,905 |
| Total net cost | $35,220 | $39,620 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $38,679 | $40,428 |
| Median debt | $9,500 | $9,501 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$228,840 | -$198,260 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Wichita State University-Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology or Barton County Community College?
Wichita State University-Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology, at $8,805 a year after aid versus $9,905 — a gap of $1,100 a year, or $4,400 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Wichita State University-Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology or Barton County Community College graduates earn more?
Barton County Community College graduates report a median $40,428 ten years after entry, $1,749 more than the $38,679 at Wichita State University-Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology. 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, Wichita State University-Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology or Barton County Community College?
Wichita State University-Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology: its completers carry a median $9,500 in federal loans versus $9,501 at Barton County Community College, a difference of $1. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
43% of students finish at Wichita State University-Campus of Applied Sciences and Technology, against 33% at Barton 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.