Degree Dividend
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Allegany College of Maryland vs Hair Academy II: which has better ROI?

Public, Cumberland MD · vs · Private for-profit, Hillcrest Heights MD

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Hair Academy II comes closer — median earnings $43,383 against a $93,776 total, vs $38,476 at Allegany College of Maryland. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureAllegany College of MarylandHair Academy II
Net price / yr$8,819$23,444
Total net cost$17,638$93,776
Median earnings, 10 yrs$38,476$43,383
Median debt$13,702$6,333
Payback
20-year net return-$215,318-$193,316

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 II?

Allegany College of Maryland, at $8,819 a year after aid versus $23,444 — a gap of $14,625 a year, or $76,138 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 II graduates earn more?

Hair Academy II graduates report a median $43,383 ten years after entry, $4,907 more than the $38,476 at Allegany College of Maryland. 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 II?

Hair Academy II: its completers carry a median $6,333 in federal loans versus $13,702 at Allegany College of Maryland, a difference of $7,369. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

55% of students finish at Hair Academy II, 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.

Allegany College of Maryland vs Hair Academy II: frequently asked questions

Is Allegany College of Maryland or Hair Academy II a better value?
Hair Academy II comes closer, but neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings — the field you study decides it here more than the school.
Which is cheaper, Allegany College of Maryland or Hair Academy II?
Allegany College of Maryland: $8,819/yr net price after aid versus $23,444/yr at Hair Academy II — a difference of $14,625 a year, or about $76,138 over four years.
Do Allegany College of Maryland or Hair Academy II graduates earn more?
Hair Academy II graduates earn a median $43,383 ten years after entry, versus $38,476 at Allegany College of Maryland — a $4,907 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.