Head-to-head · 2026
Chadron State College vs Mid-Plains Community College
Compare average net price ($12,549 at Chadron State College; $5,235 at Mid-Plains Community College), ROI score (9.36 vs 19.13), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($47,002 vs $40,059), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Chadron State College; Open / not reported at Mid-Plains Community College) using federal College Scorecard data. The table keeps affordability, outcomes, access and program fit separate rather than declaring one universal winner.
Face to face
Metric-by-metric comparison
13 metrics, side by side. Color marks a useful directional signal; admissions, SAT, tuition eligibility, ownership and enrollment stay neutral.
| Metric | Chadron State College | Mid-Plains Community College |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 9.36 | 19.13 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $12,549 | $5,235 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $50,196 | $20,940 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $8,290 | $3,600 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $8,290 | $4,530 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $47,002 ✓ | $40,059 |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 50.4% | 53.8% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 63.2% ✓ | 62.9% |
| Median debt | $18,875 | $9,995 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 1,540 | 937 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | — | — |
Cost by family income
Reported net price by income band
Federal averages for students receiving Title IV aid. These are context, not a substitute for either school's financial-aid offer.
| Income band | Chadron State College | Mid-Plains Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $10,047 | $4,853 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $10,090 | $3,390 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $12,561 | $4,329 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $14,674 | $6,934 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | $16,047 | $10,031 ✓ |
Program fit
Shared fields with reported awards
Award share is the share of reported credentials in a field, not the share of currently enrolled students.
| Shared field | Chadron State College | Mid-Plains Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 2.5% | 50.8% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 21.7% | 11.6% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Mid-Plains Community College reports the lower average net price by $7,314 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $29,256 difference over four years ($20,940 vs $50,196).
Chadron State College reports $6,943 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($47,002 vs $40,059). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 63.2% at Chadron State College and 62.9% at Mid-Plains Community College. Median federal debt among completers is $18,875 vs $9,995, respectively.
2 of the strongest shared fields with positive award-share data are listed below. Award share describes reported credentials in a field, not the percentage of currently enrolled students.
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Frequently asked
Chadron State College vs Mid-Plains Community College, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Mid-Plains Community College is cheaper — average net price $5,235 per year vs $12,549 at Chadron State College. The annual difference of $7,314 adds up to about $29,256 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Chadron State College reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $47,002 vs $40,059 at Mid-Plains Community College. The gap in the federal data is $6,943. This is not major-specific earnings.
Is there an overall winner?
No single metric makes either school the universal winner. Compare your actual aid offers, residency tuition, intended major, graduation and retention rates, debt, location and campus fit. EduGradify keeps these trade-offs separate instead of combining admissions selectivity and test scores into a final verdict.