Head-to-head · 2026
Mid-Plains Community College vs Wayne State College
Compare average net price ($5,235 at Mid-Plains Community College; $15,360 at Wayne State College), ROI score (19.13 vs 7.66), school-wide ten-year median earnings ($40,059 vs $47,075), and admissions context (Open / not reported at Mid-Plains Community College; Open / not reported at Wayne State 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 | Mid-Plains Community College | Wayne State College |
|---|---|---|
| ROI score (school-wide) | 19.13 ✓ | 7.66 |
| Avg net price | $5,235 ✓ | $15,360 |
| 4-year avg net price | $20,940 ✓ | $61,440 |
| In-state tuition | $3,600 | $8,216 |
| Out-of-state tuition | $4,530 | $8,216 |
| School-wide earnings (10y) | $40,059 | $47,075 ✓ |
| Acceptance rate | Open / not reported | Open / not reported |
| Graduation rate | 53.8% ✓ | 52.2% |
| Retention rate | 62.9% | 72.4% ✓ |
| Median debt | $9,995 ✓ | $19,000 |
| Enrollment | 937 | 3,010 |
| 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 | Mid-Plains Community College | Wayne State College |
|---|---|---|
| Family income $0–30k | $4,853 ✓ | $12,844 |
| Family income $30–48k | $3,390 ✓ | $11,698 |
| Family income $48–75k | $4,329 ✓ | $13,851 |
| Family income $75–110k | $6,934 ✓ | $16,841 |
| Family income $110k+ | $10,031 ✓ | $18,905 |
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 | Mid-Plains Community College | Wayne State College |
|---|---|---|
| Business Administration, Management and Operations | 11.6% | 19.1% |
| Design and Applied Arts | 1.3% | 1.4% |
| Human Development, Family Studies, and Related Services | 0.3% | 1.4% |
| Computer and Information Sciences, General | 0.5% | 0.9% |
Decision readout
What the differences mean
Mid-Plains Community College reports the lower average net price by $10,125 per year. Holding today's averages constant, that is a $40,500 difference over four years ($20,940 vs $61,440).
Wayne State College reports $7,016 higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry ($47,075 vs $40,059). This is not earnings for a specific major.
First-year retention is 62.9% at Mid-Plains Community College and 72.4% at Wayne State College. Median federal debt among completers is $9,995 vs $19,000, 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
Mid-Plains Community College vs Wayne State College, answered
3 of the most common questions, with real numbers from federal data.
Which school costs less after aid?
Mid-Plains Community College is cheaper — average net price $5,235 per year vs $15,360 at Wayne State College. The annual difference of $10,125 adds up to about $40,500 over four years.
Which school reports higher earnings?
Wayne State College reports higher school-wide median earnings ten years after entry: $47,075 vs $40,059 at Mid-Plains Community College. The gap in the federal data is $7,016. 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.