Alpena Community College vs Arizona College of Nursing-Southfield: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Alpena Community College comes closer — median earnings $36,442 against a $6,640 total, vs $34,657 at Arizona College of Nursing-Southfield. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Alpena Community College | Arizona College of Nursing-Southfield |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $3,320 | $38,786 |
| Total net cost | $6,640 | $155,144 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $36,442 | $34,657 |
| Median debt | $9,024 | $9,500 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$245,000 | -$429,204 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Alpena Community College or Arizona College of Nursing-Southfield?
Alpena Community College, at $3,320 a year after aid versus $38,786 — a gap of $35,466 a year, or $148,504 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Alpena Community College or Arizona College of Nursing-Southfield graduates earn more?
Alpena Community College graduates report a median $36,442 ten years after entry, $1,785 more than the $34,657 at Arizona College of Nursing-Southfield. 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, Alpena Community College or Arizona College of Nursing-Southfield?
Alpena Community College: its completers carry a median $9,024 in federal loans versus $9,500 at Arizona College of Nursing-Southfield, a difference of $476. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.