Head-to-head · 2026
John Wood Community College vs University of Chicago
Compare average net price ($7,050 at John Wood Community College; $14,860 at University of Chicago), ROI score (13.70 vs 15.46), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($38,631 vs $91,885), and admissions context (Open / not reported at John Wood Community College; 4.5% at University of Chicago) 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 | John Wood Community College | University of Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 13.70 | 15.46 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $7,050 ✓ | $14,860 |
| 4-year avg net price | $28,200 ✓ | $59,440 |
| In-state tuition | $5,700 | $70,662 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $9,300 | $70,662 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $38,631 | $91,885 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | 4.5% |
| Graduation rate | 48.9% | 95.9% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 63.8% | 99.3% ✓ |
| Median debt | $8,029 ✓ | $15,000 |
| Enrollment | 1,371 | 7,569 |
| Ownership | Public | Private Non-Profit |
| Avg SAT | — | 1554 |
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 | John Wood Community College | University of Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $5,899 | -$1,264 ✓ |
| Family income $30–48k | $6,580 | $914 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $8,900 | $226 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $10,777 ✓ | $12,602 |
| Family income $110k+ | — | $48,524 |
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 | John Wood Community College | University of Chicago |
|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 44.9% | 2.3% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 2.3% | 0.2% |
| Music | 0.2% | 0.3% |
| Design and Applied Arts | 0.2% | 0.1% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
John Wood Community College reports the lower average net price by $7,810 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $31,240 difference over four years ($28,200 vs $59,440).
University of Chicago reports $53,254 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($91,885 vs $38,631). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 63.8% at John Wood Community College and 99.3% at University of Chicago. Median federal debt among completers is $8,029 vs $15,000, respectively.
4 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.
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Frequently asked
John Wood Community College vs University of Chicago, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
John Wood Community College is cheaper — average net price $7,050 per year vs $14,860 at University of Chicago. The annual difference of $7,810 adds up to about $31,240 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
University of Chicago reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $91,885 vs $38,631 at John Wood Community College. The gap in the federal data is $53,254. 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.