Head-to-head · 2026
Johnson County Community College vs University of Kansas
Compare average net price ($14,176 at Johnson County Community College; $18,059 at University of Kansas), ROI score (8.00 vs 8.58), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($45,387 vs $61,945), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Johnson County Community College; 93.5% at University of Kansas) 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 | Johnson County Community College | University of Kansas |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 8.00 | 8.58 ✓ |
| Avg net price | $14,176 ✓ | $18,059 |
| 4-year avg net price | $56,704 ✓ | $72,236 |
| In-state tuition | $2,424 | $12,102 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $5,688 | $30,432 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $45,387 | $61,945 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | 93.5% |
| Graduation rate | 30.8% | 68.8% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 71.6% | 86.5% ✓ |
| Median debt | $8,750 ✓ | $21,000 |
| Enrollment | 11,332 | 21,217 |
| Ownership | Public | Public |
| Avg SAT | — | 1190 |
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 | Johnson County Community College | University of Kansas |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $12,403 ✓ | $12,544 |
| Family income $30–48k | $13,057 | $12,942 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $15,386 | $15,154 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $17,514 ✓ | $19,169 |
| Family income $110k+ | $19,363 ✓ | $22,544 |
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 | Johnson County Community College | University of Kansas |
|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 41.5% | 3.3% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 2% | 4.9% |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | 5.6% | 0.5% |
| Design and Applied Arts | 4% | 1.1% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 1.3% | 3.8% |
| Accounting and Related Services | 1% | 3.6% |
| Marketing | 0.9% | 2.3% |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | 0.9% | 0.5% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Johnson County Community College reports the lower average net price by $3,883 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $15,532 difference over four years ($56,704 vs $72,236).
University of Kansas reports $16,558 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($61,945 vs $45,387). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 71.6% at Johnson County Community College and 86.5% at University of Kansas. Median federal debt among completers is $8,750 vs $21,000, 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
Johnson County Community College vs University of Kansas, 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 $18,059 at University of Kansas. The annual difference of $3,883 adds up to about $15,532 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
University of Kansas reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $61,945 vs $45,387 at Johnson County Community College. The gap in the federal data is $16,558. 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.