Head-to-head · 2026
College of DuPage vs John Wood Community College
Compare average net price ($7,401 at College of DuPage; $7,050 at John Wood Community College), ROI score (15.85 vs 13.70), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($46,909 vs $38,631), and admissions context (Open / not reported at College of DuPage; Open / not reported at John Wood 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 | College of DuPage | John Wood Community College |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 15.85 ✓ | 13.70 |
| Avg net price | $7,401 | $7,050 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $29,604 | $28,200 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $4,560 | $5,700 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $12,750 | $9,300 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $46,909 ✓ | $38,631 |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 25.2% | 48.9% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 65.7% ✓ | 63.8% |
| Median debt | $10,410 | $8,029 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 16,114 | 1,371 |
| 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 | College of DuPage | John Wood Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $4,032 ✓ | $5,899 |
| Family income $30–48k | $4,390 ✓ | $6,580 |
| Family income $48–75k | $8,431 ✓ | $8,900 |
| Family income $75–110k | $12,717 | $10,777 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | $15,308 | — |
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 | College of DuPage | John Wood Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 27.9% | 44.9% |
| Biological and Physical Sciences | 8.8% | 8% |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants | 5.2% | 10.3% |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | 10.5% | 4.7% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 3.7% | 7.8% |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | 3.1% | 2.9% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 3.4% | 2.3% |
| Fire Protection | 0.9% | 3.3% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
John Wood Community College reports the lower average net price by $351 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $1,404 difference over four years ($28,200 vs $29,604).
College of DuPage reports $8,278 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($46,909 vs $38,631). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 65.7% at College of DuPage and 63.8% at John Wood Community College. Median federal debt among completers is $10,410 vs $8,029, respectively.
8 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.
Keep comparing
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Frequently asked
College of DuPage vs John Wood Community College, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
John Wood Community College is cheaper — average net price $7,050 per year vs $7,401 at College of DuPage. The annual difference of $351 adds up to about $1,404 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
College of DuPage reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $46,909 vs $38,631 at John Wood Community College. The gap in the federal data is $8,278. 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.