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Alturas Cosmetology of Arizona LLC vs Southwest Institute of Healing Arts: which has better ROI?

Private for-profit, Chandler AZ · vs · Private for-profit, Tempe AZ

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Alturas Cosmetology of Arizona LLC comes closer — median earnings $27,201 against a $53,028 total, vs $29,544 at Southwest Institute of Healing Arts. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureAlturas Cosmetology of Arizona LLCSouthwest Institute of Healing Arts
Net price / yr$13,257$43,883
Total net cost$53,028$175,532
Median earnings, 10 yrs$27,201$29,544
Median debt$6,221$9,500
Payback
20-year net return-$476,208-$551,852

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

Which is cheaper, Alturas Cosmetology of Arizona LLC or Southwest Institute of Healing Arts?

Alturas Cosmetology of Arizona LLC, at $13,257 a year after aid versus $43,883 — a gap of $30,626 a year, or $122,504 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Alturas Cosmetology of Arizona LLC or Southwest Institute of Healing Arts graduates earn more?

Southwest Institute of Healing Arts graduates report a median $29,544 ten years after entry, $2,343 more than the $27,201 at Alturas Cosmetology of Arizona LLC. 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, Alturas Cosmetology of Arizona LLC or Southwest Institute of Healing Arts?

Alturas Cosmetology of Arizona LLC: its completers carry a median $6,221 in federal loans versus $9,500 at Southwest Institute of Healing Arts, a difference of $3,279. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

77% of students finish at Alturas Cosmetology of Arizona LLC, against 67% at Southwest Institute of Healing Arts. 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.

Alturas Cosmetology of Arizona LLC vs Southwest Institute of Healing Arts: frequently asked questions

Is Alturas Cosmetology of Arizona LLC or Southwest Institute of Healing Arts a better value?
Alturas Cosmetology of Arizona LLC 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, Alturas Cosmetology of Arizona LLC or Southwest Institute of Healing Arts?
Alturas Cosmetology of Arizona LLC: $13,257/yr net price after aid versus $43,883/yr at Southwest Institute of Healing Arts — a difference of $30,626 a year, or about $122,504 over four years.
Do Alturas Cosmetology of Arizona LLC or Southwest Institute of Healing Arts graduates earn more?
Southwest Institute of Healing Arts graduates earn a median $29,544 ten years after entry, versus $27,201 at Alturas Cosmetology of Arizona LLC — a $2,343 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.