Academy of Hair Design-Springfield vs Paul Mitchell the School-St Louis: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Paul Mitchell the School-St Louis comes closer — median earnings $33,132 against a $99,628 total, vs $25,129 at Academy of Hair Design-Springfield. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Academy of Hair Design-Springfield | Paul Mitchell the School-St Louis |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $15,904 | $24,907 |
| Total net cost | $63,616 | $99,628 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $25,129 | $33,132 |
| Median debt | $9,500 | $9,833 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$528,236 | -$404,188 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Academy of Hair Design-Springfield or Paul Mitchell the School-St Louis?
Academy of Hair Design-Springfield, at $15,904 a year after aid versus $24,907 — a gap of $9,003 a year, or $36,012 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Academy of Hair Design-Springfield or Paul Mitchell the School-St Louis graduates earn more?
Paul Mitchell the School-St Louis graduates report a median $33,132 ten years after entry, $8,003 more than the $25,129 at Academy of Hair Design-Springfield. 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.
Which leaves students with less debt, Academy of Hair Design-Springfield or Paul Mitchell the School-St Louis?
Academy of Hair Design-Springfield: its completers carry a median $9,500 in federal loans versus $9,833 at Paul Mitchell the School-St Louis, a difference of $333. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
64% of students finish at Academy of Hair Design-Springfield, against 59% at Paul Mitchell the School-St Louis. 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.