Kansas City Kansas 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.
| Kansas City Kansas Community College Kansas City, KS | Kansas State University Manhattan, KS | |
|---|---|---|
| ROI verdict | Break-even | Strong return |
| 10-year ROI | +0% | +142% |
| 10-year net gain | $98 | $121,452 |
| Median earnings (5 yr) | $48,679 | $65,682 |
| Median earnings (1 yr) | $42,823 | $50,768 |
| Average net price | $16,744 | $19,406 |
| Median debt | $8,793 | $21,250 |
| Break-even | 10 yrs | 4.1 yrs |
| Graduation rate | — | 71% |
| Admission rate | — | 82% |
Kansas City Kansas Community College
Break-even
+$98 over 10 years
The payoff is roughly break-even — the degree recovers its cost, but slowly.
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.