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Alpena Community College vs Twin City Beauty College: which has better ROI?

Public, Alpena MI · vs · Private for-profit, Saint Joseph MI

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Alpena Community College comes closer — median earnings $36,442 against a $6,640 total, vs $23,043 at Twin City Beauty College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureAlpena Community CollegeTwin City Beauty College
Net price / yr$3,320$18,125
Total net cost$6,640$72,500
Median earnings, 10 yrs$36,442$23,043
Median debt$9,024$9,320
Payback
20-year net return-$245,000-$578,840

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

Which is cheaper, Alpena Community College or Twin City Beauty College?

Alpena Community College, at $3,320 a year after aid versus $18,125 — a gap of $14,805 a year, or $65,860 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 Twin City Beauty College graduates earn more?

Alpena Community College graduates report a median $36,442 ten years after entry, $13,399 more than the $23,043 at Twin City Beauty College. 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 Twin City Beauty College?

Alpena Community College: its completers carry a median $9,024 in federal loans versus $9,320 at Twin City Beauty College, a difference of $296. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

52% of students finish at Alpena Community College, against 48% at Twin City Beauty 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.

Alpena Community College vs Twin City Beauty College: frequently asked questions

Is Alpena Community College or Twin City Beauty College a better value?
Alpena 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, Alpena Community College or Twin City Beauty College?
Alpena Community College: $3,320/yr net price after aid versus $18,125/yr at Twin City Beauty College — a difference of $14,805 a year, or about $65,860 over four years.
Do Alpena Community College or Twin City Beauty College graduates earn more?
Alpena Community College graduates earn a median $36,442 ten years after entry, versus $23,043 at Twin City Beauty College — a $13,399 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.