Head-to-head · 2026
Emporia State University vs Labette Community College
Compare average net price ($16,261 at Emporia State University; $5,939 at Labette Community College), ROI score (7.32 vs 15.92), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($47,601 vs $37,818), and admissions context (97.7% at Emporia State University; Open / not reported at Labette 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 | Labette Community College |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 7.32 | 15.92 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $16,261 | $5,939 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $65,044 | $23,756 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $7,106 | $4,064 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $15,419 | $4,864 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $47,601 ✓ | $37,818 |
| Acceptance rate | 97.7% | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 56.1% ✓ | 24.1% |
| Retention rate | 76.9% ✓ | 62.8% |
| Median debt | $19,500 | $10,500 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 2,239 | 801 |
| 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 | Labette Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $11,452 | $4,578 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $11,905 | $3,927 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $14,229 | $7,168 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $18,994 | $8,737 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | $19,531 | $11,507 ✓ |
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 | Labette Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 1.6% | 54.1% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 4.4% | 3.9% |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | 0.4% | 7.2% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Labette Community College reports the lower average net price by $10,322 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $41,288 difference over four years ($23,756 vs $65,044).
Emporia State University reports $9,783 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($47,601 vs $37,818). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 76.9% at Emporia State University and 62.8% at Labette Community College. Median federal debt among completers is $19,500 vs $10,500, 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
Emporia State University vs Labette Community College, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Labette Community College is cheaper — average net price $5,939 per year vs $16,261 at Emporia State University. The annual difference of $10,322 adds up to about $41,288 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Emporia State University reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $47,601 vs $37,818 at Labette Community College. The gap in the federal data is $9,783. 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.