Head-to-head · 2026
Clarkson College vs Mid-Plains Community College
Compare average net price ($19,241 at Clarkson College; $5,235 at Mid-Plains Community College), ROI score (8.43 vs 19.13), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($64,876 vs $40,059), and admissions context (78.2% at Clarkson 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 | Clarkson College | Mid-Plains Community College |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 8.43 | 19.13 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $19,241 | $5,235 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $76,964 | $20,940 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $16,104 | $3,600 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $16,104 | $4,530 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $64,876 ✓ | $40,059 |
| Acceptance rate | 78.2% | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 46.7% | 53.8% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 60.9% | 62.9% ✓ |
| Median debt | $23,716 | $9,995 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 622 | 937 |
| Ownership | Private Non-Profit | 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 | Clarkson College | Mid-Plains Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | — | $4,853 |
| Family income $30–48k | $19,222 | $3,390 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $17,312 | $4,329 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $20,003 | $6,934 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | $20,262 | $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 | Clarkson College | Mid-Plains Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 65% | 5.8% |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | 18.8% | 5% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Mid-Plains Community College reports the lower average net price by $14,006 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $56,024 difference over four years ($20,940 vs $76,964).
Clarkson College reports $24,817 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($64,876 vs $40,059). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 60.9% at Clarkson College and 62.9% at Mid-Plains Community College. Median federal debt among completers is $23,716 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
Clarkson 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 $19,241 at Clarkson College. The annual difference of $14,006 adds up to about $56,024 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Clarkson College reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $64,876 vs $40,059 at Mid-Plains Community College. The gap in the federal data is $24,817. 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.