Butler Community College vs Kansas State University
A side-by-side look at cost, graduate earnings, debt and return on investment. The better figure in each row is highlighted.
| Butler Community College El Dorado, KS | Kansas State University Manhattan, KS | |
|---|---|---|
| ROI verdict | Poor return | Strong return |
| 10-year ROI | -74% | +142% |
| 10-year net gain | $-25,944 | $121,452 |
| Median earnings (5 yr) | $45,933 | $65,682 |
| Median earnings (1 yr) | $37,496 | $50,768 |
| Average net price | $15,724 | $19,406 |
| Median debt | $10,500 | $21,250 |
| Break-even | 37.8 yrs | 4.1 yrs |
| Graduation rate | — | 71% |
| Admission rate | — | 82% |
Butler Community College
Poor return
$-25,944 over 10 years
On these figures the cost and debt outweigh the earnings premium.
Kansas State University
Strong return
+$121,452 over 10 years
Graduate earnings clearly outpace the cost and debt — this degree pays back quickly.
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard. ROI is computed by Degree Return — see how. Read the methodology. Data as of 2024.