Degree Dividend
Sourced from federal dataEvery figure datedNo rankings for sale

American InterContinental University System vs Carrington College-Tucson: which has better ROI?

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

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but American InterContinental University System comes closer — median earnings $36,144 against a $60,688 total, vs $36,718 at Carrington College-Tucson. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

Share
Head to head
MeasureAmerican InterContinental University SystemCarrington College-Tucson
Net price / yr$15,172$33,983
Total net cost$60,688$135,932
Median earnings, 10 yrs$36,144$36,718
Median debt$31,000$9,500
Payback
20-year net return-$305,008-$368,772

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

Which is cheaper, American InterContinental University System or Carrington College-Tucson?

American InterContinental University System, at $15,172 a year after aid versus $33,983 — a gap of $18,811 a year, or $75,244 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do American InterContinental University System or Carrington College-Tucson graduates earn more?

Carrington College-Tucson graduates report a median $36,718 ten years after entry, $574 more than the $36,144 at American InterContinental University System. 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, American InterContinental University System or Carrington College-Tucson?

Carrington College-Tucson: its completers carry a median $9,500 in federal loans versus $31,000 at American InterContinental University System, a difference of $21,500. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

66% of students finish at Carrington College-Tucson, against 9% at American InterContinental University System. 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.

American InterContinental University System vs Carrington College-Tucson: frequently asked questions

Is American InterContinental University System or Carrington College-Tucson a better value?
American InterContinental University System 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, American InterContinental University System or Carrington College-Tucson?
American InterContinental University System: $15,172/yr net price after aid versus $33,983/yr at Carrington College-Tucson — a difference of $18,811 a year, or about $75,244 over four years.
Do American InterContinental University System or Carrington College-Tucson graduates earn more?
Carrington College-Tucson graduates earn a median $36,718 ten years after entry, versus $36,144 at American InterContinental University System — a $574 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.