Allegany College of Maryland vs Hair Academy: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Allegany College of Maryland comes closer — median earnings $38,476 against a $17,638 total, vs $20,953 at Hair Academy. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Allegany College of Maryland | Hair Academy |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $8,819 | $20,565 |
| Total net cost | $17,638 | $82,260 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $38,476 | $20,953 |
| Median debt | $13,702 | $13,000 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$215,318 | -$630,400 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Allegany College of Maryland or Hair Academy?
Allegany College of Maryland, at $8,819 a year after aid versus $20,565 — a gap of $11,746 a year, or $64,622 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Allegany College of Maryland or Hair Academy graduates earn more?
Allegany College of Maryland graduates report a median $38,476 ten years after entry, $17,523 more than the $20,953 at Hair Academy. 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, Allegany College of Maryland or Hair Academy?
Hair Academy: its completers carry a median $13,000 in federal loans versus $13,702 at Allegany College of Maryland, a difference of $702. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
61% of students finish at Hair Academy, against 40% at Allegany College of Maryland. 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.