Head-to-head · 2026
Jones County Junior College vs Meridian Community College
Compare average net price ($6,048 at Jones County Junior College; $6,351 at Meridian Community College), ROI score (13.80 vs 12.20), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($33,377 vs $31,002), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Jones County Junior College; Open / not reported at Meridian 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 | Jones County Junior College | Meridian Community College |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 13.80 ✓ | 12.20 |
| Avg net price | $6,048 ✓ | $6,351 |
| 4-year avg net price | $24,192 ✓ | $25,404 |
| In-state tuition | $4,806 | $4,078 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $6,806 | $6,478 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $33,377 ✓ | $31,002 |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 40.9% ✓ | 34.4% |
| Retention rate | 55.9% | 66.2% ✓ |
| Median debt | $6,291 | $5,521 ✓ |
| Enrollment | 3,535 | 2,156 |
| 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 | Jones County Junior College | Meridian Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $5,645 ✓ | $6,351 |
| Family income $30–48k | $5,537 | — |
| Family income $48–75k | $6,855 | — |
| Family income $75–110k | $9,991 | — |
| Family income $110k+ | $10,931 | — |
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 | Jones County Junior College | Meridian Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Liberal Arts and Sciences, General Studies and Humanities | 43.6% | 29.3% |
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 5.2% | 14.7% |
| Practical Nursing, Vocational Nursing and Nursing Assistants | 10.9% | 7.8% |
| Precision Metal Working | 5.5% | 6.4% |
| Ground Transportation | 5.7% | 6% |
| Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, and Treatment Professions | 2.5% | 4.8% |
| Electrical and Power Transmission Installers | 4.5% | 1.3% |
| Cosmetology and Related Personal Grooming Services | 1.6% | 2.7% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Jones County Junior College reports the lower average net price by $303 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $1,212 difference over four years ($24,192 vs $25,404).
Jones County Junior College reports $2,375 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($33,377 vs $31,002). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 55.9% at Jones County Junior College and 66.2% at Meridian Community College. Median federal debt among completers is $6,291 vs $5,521, 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
Jones County Junior College vs Meridian Community College, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Jones County Junior College is cheaper — average net price $6,048 per year vs $6,351 at Meridian Community College. The annual difference of $303 adds up to about $1,212 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Jones County Junior College reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $33,377 vs $31,002 at Meridian Community College. The gap in the federal data is $2,375. 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.