Head-to-head · 2026
Emporia State University vs Johnson County Community College
Compare average net price ($16,261 at Emporia State University; $14,176 at Johnson County Community College), ROI score (7.32 vs 8.00), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($47,601 vs $45,387), and admissions context (97.7% at Emporia State University; Open / not reported at Johnson County 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 | Emporia State University | Johnson County Community College |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 7.32 | 8.00 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $16,261 | $14,176 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $65,044 | $56,704 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $7,106 | $2,424 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $15,419 | $5,688 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $47,601 ✓ | $45,387 |
| Acceptance rate | 97.7% | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 56.1% ✓ | 30.8% |
| Retention rate | 76.9% ✓ | 71.6% |
| Median debt | $19,500 | $8,750 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 2,239 | 11,332 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | 1120 | — |
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 | Emporia State University | Johnson County Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $11,452 ✓ | $12,403 |
| Family income $30–48k | $11,905 ✓ | $13,057 |
| Family income $48–75k | $14,229 ✓ | $15,386 |
| Family income $75–110k | $18,994 | $17,514 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | $19,531 | $19,363 ✓ |
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 | Emporia State University | Johnson County Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 1.6% | 41.5% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 10.1% | 2% |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | 0.4% | 5.6% |
| Accounting and Related Services | 4.8% | 1% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 4.4% | 1.3% |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 0.7% | 1.3% |
| Marketing | 1% | 0.9% |
| Linguistic, Comparative, and Related Language Studies and Services | 0.4% | 0.6% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Johnson County Community College reports the lower average net price by $2,085 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $8,340 difference over four years ($56,704 vs $65,044).
Emporia State University reports $2,214 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($47,601 vs $45,387). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 76.9% at Emporia State University and 71.6% at Johnson County Community College. Median federal debt among completers is $19,500 vs $8,750, 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
Emporia State University vs Johnson County Community College, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Johnson County Community College is cheaper — average net price $14,176 per year vs $16,261 at Emporia State University. The annual difference of $2,085 adds up to about $8,340 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Emporia State University reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $47,601 vs $45,387 at Johnson County Community College. The gap in the federal data is $2,214. 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.