Head-to-head comparison
University of Kansas vs Pratt Community College: which has better ROI?
Option A Lawrence, KS
University of Kansas
- Net price / year
- $18,059
- Earnings, 10 years
- $61,945
- Payback
- 5.3 yrs
Option B Pratt, KS
Pratt Community College
- Net price / year
- $9,731
- Earnings, 10 years
- $51,892
- Payback
- 11 yrs
University of Kansas has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $72,236 in 5.3 years versus 11 years at Pratt Community College, on median earnings of $61,945 vs $51,892 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Kansas | Pratt Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $18,059 | $9,731 |
| Total net cost | $72,236 | $38,924 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $61,945 | $51,892 |
| Median debt | $21,000 | $6,500 |
| Payback | 5.3 yrs | 11 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $199,464 | $31,716 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, University of Kansas or Pratt Community College?
Pratt Community College, at $9,731 a year after aid versus $18,059 — a gap of $8,328 a year, or $33,312 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
The short answer
Do University of Kansas or Pratt Community College graduates earn more?
University of Kansas graduates report a median $61,945 ten years after entry, $10,053 more than the $51,892 at Pratt Community College. Both are institution-wide medians from federal tax records, so a high-paying major at the lower school can beat the average at the higher one.
The short answer
Which leaves students with less debt, University of Kansas or Pratt Community College?
Pratt Community College: its completers carry a median $6,500 in federal loans versus $21,000 at University of Kansas, a difference of $14,500. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
The short answer
Which graduates more of its students?
69% of students finish at University of Kansas, against 45% at Pratt Community College. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.