Head-to-head · 2026
Jefferson College vs St Charles Community College
Compare average net price ($7,378 at Jefferson College; $5,837 at St Charles Community College), ROI score (13.82 vs 18.17), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($40,782 vs $42,422), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Jefferson College; Open / not reported at St Charles 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 | Jefferson College | St Charles Community College |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 13.82 | 18.17 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $7,378 | $5,837 ✓ |
| 4-year avg net price | $29,512 | $23,348 ✓ |
| In-state tuition | $5,250 | $3,048 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $8,850 | $6,096 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $40,782 | $42,422 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 38.3% ✓ | 24.8% |
| Retention rate | 69% ✓ | 63.4% |
| Median debt | $9,285 | $6,187 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 2,552 | 5,017 |
| 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 | Jefferson College | St Charles Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $6,048 | $3,436 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $5,745 | $4,407 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $8,614 | $7,698 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $9,711 | $8,856 ✓ |
| Family income $110k+ | $10,568 | $9,348 ✓ |
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 | Jefferson College | St Charles Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 44.8% | 54.9% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 5.4% | 5.8% |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | 10.5% | 0.2% |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants | 6.8% | 2.3% |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | 4.8% | 0.8% |
| Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services | 1.9% | 2.7% |
| Precision Metal Working | 4.1% | 0.4% |
| Engineering, General | 1.7% | 1.1% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
St Charles Community College reports the lower average net price by $1,541 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $6,164 difference over four years ($23,348 vs $29,512).
St Charles Community College reports $1,640 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($42,422 vs $40,782). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 69% at Jefferson College and 63.4% at St Charles Community College. Median federal debt among completers is $9,285 vs $6,187, 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
Jefferson College vs St Charles Community College, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
St Charles Community College is cheaper — average net price $5,837 per year vs $7,378 at Jefferson College. The annual difference of $1,541 adds up to about $6,164 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
St Charles Community College reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $42,422 vs $40,782 at Jefferson College. The gap in the federal data is $1,640. 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.