Alcorn State University vs Alpena Community College
Side-by-side college ROI comparison from College Scorecard data
Verdict
Alcorn State University has a 100.0% graduation rate compared to Alpena Community College at 100.0%. Average median debt: Alcorn State University at $29,668 vs Alpena Community College at $20,512. Average first-year post-graduation earnings: $53,950 vs $65,000.
| Metric | Alcorn State University | Alpena Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation Rate | 100.0% | 100.0% |
| School Type | Public | Public |
| State | Ms | Mi |
| Avg Median Debt Average median debt across all tracked majors | $29,668 | $20,512* |
| Avg 1yr Earnings Average first-year earnings across all tracked majors | $53,950 | $65,000* |
| Majors Tracked | 20 | 1 |
| Best ROI Major | Computer and Information Sciences (94/100)* | Energy Systems Technologies (84/100) |
| Best Major Debt | $25,408 | $20,512* |
| Best Major 1yr Earnings | $95,000* | $65,000 |
Alcorn State University has a 100.0% graduation rate compared to Alpena Community College at 100.0%. Average median debt: Alcorn State University at $29,668 vs Alpena Community College at $20,512. Average first-year post-graduation earnings: $53,950 vs $65,000.
Explore More
Related Colleges
Avg debt $31K · $52K 1yr earnings
Avg debt $27K · $51K 1yr earnings
Avg debt $29K · $53K 1yr earnings
Avg debt $36K · $60K 1yr earnings
Avg debt $26K · $57K 1yr earnings
Avg debt $26K · $57K 1yr earnings
Completion rates run close at the two schools: 100.0% versus 100.0%. When graduation probability is comparable across both options, the decision comes down to cost and post-graduation earnings rather than degree-completion risk.
The schools sit within a moderate debt range of each other: $20,512 versus $29,668. Read those alongside the earnings figures — debt by itself is misleading, what matters is the debt-to-first-year-earnings ratio, which captures the real burden of repayment relative to the income the degree produces.
Median first-year earnings sit moderately apart at Alcorn State University and Alpena Community College. The school with stronger earnings has a real edge for high-cost-of-living markets where the absolute dollar figure matters; the school with lower earnings can still be the better choice in markets where the cost-of-living differential more than offsets the income gap.
Alcorn State University sits in Ms and Alpena Community College in Mi. The geographic spread matters for cost (in-state vs. out-of-state tuition typically diverges sharply at public schools) and for post-graduation labor market (most schools place students primarily into regional employers). Cross-state comparisons should account for the residency-cost differential at any public option and the labor-market trajectory each campus connects students to.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, 2026.