Head-to-head · 2026
College of Saint Mary vs Western Nebraska Community College
Compare average net price ($16,590 at College of Saint Mary; $5,474 at Western Nebraska Community College), ROI score (8.19 vs 17.69), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($54,338 vs $38,729), and admissions context (44.7% at College of Saint Mary; Open / not reported at Western Nebraska 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 Saint Mary | Western Nebraska Community College |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 8.19 | 17.69 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $16,590 | $5,474 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $66,360 | $21,896 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $24,510 | $3,840 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $24,510 | $4,410 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $54,338 ✓ | $38,729 |
| Acceptance rate | 44.7% | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 60.5% ✓ | 36.6% |
| Retention rate | 79.8% ✓ | 52.8% |
| Median debt | $24,250 | $9,000 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 445 | 893 |
| Ownership | Private Non-Profit | Public |
| Avg SAT | 1150 | — |
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 Saint Mary | Western Nebraska Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $14,090 | $4,420 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $12,713 | $3,808 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $9,320 | $7,099 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $15,242 | $9,904 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | $23,898 | $11,714 ✓ |
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 Saint Mary | Western Nebraska Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 15.9% | 4.4% |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants | 7.9% | 11.1% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 4.7% | 12.4% |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | 8.5% | 4.9% |
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 3.2% | 8.4% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 7.7% | 3.6% |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | 4.1% | 1.5% |
| Biology, General | 2.1% | 0.6% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Western Nebraska Community College reports the lower average net price by $11,116 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $44,464 difference over four years ($21,896 vs $66,360).
College of Saint Mary reports $15,609 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($54,338 vs $38,729). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 79.8% at College of Saint Mary and 52.8% at Western Nebraska Community College. Median federal debt among completers is $24,250 vs $9,000, 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 Saint Mary vs Western Nebraska Community College, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Western Nebraska Community College is cheaper — average net price $5,474 per year vs $16,590 at College of Saint Mary. The annual difference of $11,116 adds up to about $44,464 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
College of Saint Mary reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $54,338 vs $38,729 at Western Nebraska Community College. The gap in the federal data is $15,609. 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.