Head-to-head · 2026
Donnelly College vs Independence Community College
Compare average net price ($11,476 at Donnelly College; $3,265 at Independence Community College), ROI score (7.78 vs 26.75), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($35,715 vs $34,941), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Donnelly College; Open / not reported at Independence 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 | Donnelly College | Independence Community College |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 7.78 | 26.75 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $11,476 | $3,265 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $45,904 | $13,060 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $10,440 | $4,560 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $10,440 | $4,950 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $35,715 ✓ | $34,941 |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 45.8% ✓ | 26.3% |
| Retention rate | 57.9% ✓ | 43.9% |
| Median debt | $11,842 | $6,115 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 395 | 486 |
| 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 | Donnelly College | Independence Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $10,542 | $2,934 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $11,463 | $3,435 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $12,484 | $1,685 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $12,907 | $6,220 ✓ |
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 | Donnelly College | Independence Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 41.8% | 41.8% |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants | 29.6% | 21.9% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 8.2% | 3.6% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Independence Community College reports the lower average net price by $8,211 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $32,844 difference over four years ($13,060 vs $45,904).
Donnelly College reports $774 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($35,715 vs $34,941). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 57.9% at Donnelly College and 43.9% at Independence Community College. Median federal debt among completers is $11,842 vs $6,115, respectively.
3 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
Donnelly College vs Independence Community College, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Independence Community College is cheaper — average net price $3,265 per year vs $11,476 at Donnelly College. The annual difference of $8,211 adds up to about $32,844 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Donnelly College reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $35,715 vs $34,941 at Independence Community College. The gap in the federal data is $774. 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.