Degree Dividend
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Allen County Community College vs Z Hair Academy: which has better ROI?

Public, Iola KS · vs · Private for-profit, Overland Park KS

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Allen County Community College comes closer — median earnings $40,059 against a $17,284 total, vs $27,346 at Z Hair Academy. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureAllen County Community CollegeZ Hair Academy
Net price / yr$8,642$18,893
Total net cost$17,284$75,572
Median earnings, 10 yrs$40,059$27,346
Median debt$6,954$9,833
Payback
20-year net return-$183,304-$495,852

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, Allen County Community College or Z Hair Academy?

Allen County Community College, at $8,642 a year after aid versus $18,893 — a gap of $10,251 a year, or $58,288 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Allen County Community College or Z Hair Academy graduates earn more?

Allen County Community College graduates report a median $40,059 ten years after entry, $12,713 more than the $27,346 at Z 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, Allen County Community College or Z Hair Academy?

Allen County Community College: its completers carry a median $6,954 in federal loans versus $9,833 at Z Hair Academy, a difference of $2,879. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

74% of students finish at Z Hair Academy, against 37% at Allen County 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.

Allen County Community College vs Z Hair Academy: frequently asked questions

Is Allen County Community College or Z Hair Academy a better value?
Allen County Community College 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, Allen County Community College or Z Hair Academy?
Allen County Community College: $8,642/yr net price after aid versus $18,893/yr at Z Hair Academy — a difference of $10,251 a year, or about $58,288 over four years.
Do Allen County Community College or Z Hair Academy graduates earn more?
Allen County Community College graduates earn a median $40,059 ten years after entry, versus $27,346 at Z Hair Academy — a $12,713 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.