Mar–Jul 2026 retrievals College Scorecard official source

Affordable Alternatives to Pratt Community College

Open-data reference.

We found 15 schools structurally similar to Pratt Community College that cost less. 13 offer comparable or better earnings outcomes.

Your School

Pratt Community College

Pratt, Kansas · Public

$9,731
Net Price
$51,892
Median Earnings (10yr)
N/A
Acceptance Rate
44.2%
150%-Time Completion

What the IPEDS & College Scorecard Data Shows for Alternatives to Pratt Community College

Pratt Community College posts an average net price of $9,731 after grants and scholarships, the IPEDS-derived figure used to anchor this alternatives search. We screened institutions in the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System for colleges that report a lower net price and share structural similarity with Pratt Community College across six dimensions – ownership sector, Carnegie classification, undergraduate enrollment, admission rate, former-student earnings, and completion rate. 15 institutions cleared a 40-percent similarity threshold.

The maximum possible savings across this list is $7,993, achieved by Skyline College at $1,738. Of greater interest to ROI-focused applicants: 13 of the 15 alternatives also report median 10-year earnings at or above Pratt Community College’s $51,892, meaning lower cost is not paired with lower earnings. The mean median-earnings figure across alternatives is $53,284.

The similarity scoring gives enrollment size, Carnegie classification, and ownership sector the highest weights as transparent structural matching choices. Admission and completion rates are secondary features, while net price determines which lower-cost matches appear. Net price is the average cost of attendance minus grant and scholarship aid for full-time, first-time undergraduate Title IV recipients; it describes that source cohort, not the aid a typical admitted student or any individual family will receive. It is more informative than sticker tuition for that cohort but is not a personalized quote.

Similar Schools That Cost Less

15
Alternatives Found
$7,993
Max Savings
13
Better Value Options
86%
Best Match
Top 5 alternatives by 10-yr earnings Horizontal bar chart of the top 5 items by value (USD). Top 5 alternatives by 10-yr earnings 1. Ohio University-Zanesville C $53k 2. Ohio University-Lancaster Ca $53k 3. Ohio University-Chillicothe $53k 4. Massachusetts Bay Community $53k 5. University of Michigan-Flint $53k Compared to Pratt Community College: $52k.

Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard Institution-level earnings + cost-of-attendance file · Institution data retrieved July 2026 Institution earnings use federally aided entry cohorts and are not graduate-only; net price is the cohort average for full-time, first-time undergraduate Title IV recipients.

School Net Price Savings Earnings (10yr) Graduation Similarity
Ohio University-Zanesville Campus
Zanesville, OH · Public Better Value
$5,746 -$3,985 $52,581 19.7% 86%
Ohio University-Lancaster Campus
Lancaster, OH · Public Better Value
$5,650 -$4,081 $52,581 14.1% 80%
Ohio University-Chillicothe Campus
Chillicothe, OH · Public Better Value
$5,755 -$3,976 $52,581 13.2% 71%
Massachusetts Bay Community College
Wellesley Hills, MA · Public Better Value
$7,169 -$2,562 $52,654 16.4% 69%
University of Michigan-Flint
Flint, MI · Public Better Value
$7,007 -$2,724 $53,230 42.5% 60%
Diablo Valley College
Pleasant Hill, CA · Public
$8,312 -$1,419 $51,378 47.3% 60%
Ohio University-Southern Campus
Ironton, OH · Public Better Value
$5,993 -$3,738 $52,581 20.2% 59%
West Valley College
Saratoga, CA · Public
$3,423 -$6,308 $51,688 51.5% 56%
Utah Valley University
Orem, UT · Public Better Value
$6,376 -$3,355 $55,486 43.1% 55%
Ferris State University
Big Rapids, MI · Public Better Value
$8,624 -$1,107 $54,735 47.4% 55%
Skyline College
San Bruno, CA · Public Better Value
$1,738 -$7,993 $55,702 42.8% 54%
Shoreline College
Shoreline, WA · Public Better Value
$8,585 -$1,146 $52,009 28.7% 53%
California State University-Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA · Public Better Value
$8,615 -$1,116 $57,162 44.6% 52%
Ohio University-Eastern Campus
Saint Clairsville, OH · Public Better Value
$3,925 -$5,806 $52,581 20.3% 52%
George T Baker Aviation Technical College
Miami, FL · Public Better Value
$7,489 -$2,242 $52,312 29.4% 52%

How We Match Schools

Our similarity engine compares schools across six dimensions: institution type (Carnegie classification), ownership (public/private), enrollment size, admission selectivity, former-student earnings, and completion rates. Each dimension is weighted by its impact on student outcomes.

Only schools with a lower average net price than Pratt Community College are shown. Schools marked "Better Value" have comparable or higher median earnings at a lower cost.

Data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Earnings are median values 10 years after enrollment, drawn from U.S. Treasury tax records. Net price is the average cost after grants and scholarships for first-time, full-time students, as reported through IPEDS.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are cheaper alternatives to Pratt Community College?
We found 15 schools similar to Pratt Community College that cost less. The closest match is Ohio University-Zanesville Campus with 86% similarity and a net price of $5,746.
What is the ROI of attending Pratt Community College?
Pratt Community College has an average net price of $9,731. Former students earn a median of $51,892 ten years after enrollment. The earnings-to-cost ratio is 5.3x.
Are there schools with better outcomes than Pratt Community College for less money?
Yes - 13 of 15 alternatives offer comparable or higher median earnings at a lower net price. Ohio University-Zanesville Campus costs $5,746 (saving $3,985) with median earnings of $52,581.
What is the cheapest alternative to Pratt Community College?
The most affordable similar school is Skyline College at $1,738, saving $7,993 compared to Pratt Community College. It has a 54% similarity score.
How do alternative schools' earnings compare?
The 15 alternatives have an average median earnings of $53,284 compared to Pratt Community College's $51,892. On average, alternatives match or exceed this school's earnings. Individual results vary, check the comparison table above.

Disclaimer: This information is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional advice. Data is sourced from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. Consult a qualified professional before making decisions based on this data.