Head-to-head · 2026
Manchester Community College vs Plymouth State University
Compare average net price ($14,143 at Manchester Community College; $19,216 at Plymouth State University), ROI score (8.67 vs 7.46), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($49,063 vs $57,304), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Manchester Community College; 87.5% at Plymouth State University) 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 | Manchester Community College | Plymouth State University |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 8.67 ✓ | 7.46 |
| Avg net price | $14,143 ✓ | $19,216 |
| 4-year avg net price | $56,572 ✓ | $76,864 |
| In-state tuition | $7,090 | $14,626 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $15,340 | $25,566 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $49,063 | $57,304 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | 87.5% |
| Graduation rate | 41.3% | 52% ✓ |
| Retention rate | 60.8% | 68.5% ✓ |
| Median debt | $15,060 ✓ | $26,000 |
| Enrollment | 1,587 | 3,153 |
| 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 | Manchester Community College | Plymouth State University |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $11,338 ✓ | $14,676 |
| Family income $30–48k | $19,860 | $14,714 ✓ |
| Family income $48–75k | $20,311 | $17,030 ✓ |
| Family income $75–110k | $20,380 ✓ | $21,157 |
| Family income $110k+ | $20,703 ✓ | $23,020 |
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 | Manchester Community College | Plymouth State University |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nursing, Nursing Administration, Nursing Research and Clinical Nursing | 11% | 2.4% |
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 6.5% | 5.3% |
| Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Levels and Methods | 2.9% | 8.2% |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness | 3.3% | 5.4% |
| Marketing | 3.1% | 4.6% |
| Health Services/Allied Health/Health Sciences, General | 3.5% | 2.4% |
| Accounting and Related Services | 3.1% | 1.1% |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | 3.5% | 0.2% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Manchester Community College reports the lower average net price by $5,073 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $20,292 difference over four years ($56,572 vs $76,864).
Plymouth State University reports $8,241 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($57,304 vs $49,063). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 60.8% at Manchester Community College and 68.5% at Plymouth State University. Median federal debt among completers is $15,060 vs $26,000, 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
Manchester Community College vs Plymouth State University, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Manchester Community College is cheaper — average net price $14,143 per year vs $19,216 at Plymouth State University. The annual difference of $5,073 adds up to about $20,292 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Plymouth State University reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $57,304 vs $49,063 at Manchester Community College. The gap in the federal data is $8,241. 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.