Degree Dividend
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Angelina College vs Arlington Career Institute: which has better ROI?

Public, Lufkin TX · vs · Private for-profit, Arlington TX

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Angelina College comes closer — median earnings $37,301 against a $31,092 total, vs $36,674 at Arlington Career Institute. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureAngelina CollegeArlington Career Institute
Net price / yr$7,773$24,633
Total net cost$31,092$98,532
Median earnings, 10 yrs$37,301$36,674
Median debt$8,347
Payback
20-year net return-$252,272-$332,252

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

Which is cheaper, Angelina College or Arlington Career Institute?

Angelina College, at $7,773 a year after aid versus $24,633 — a gap of $16,860 a year, or $67,440 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Angelina College or Arlington Career Institute graduates earn more?

Angelina College graduates report a median $37,301 ten years after entry, $627 more than the $36,674 at Arlington Career Institute. 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 graduates more of its students?

72% of students finish at Arlington Career Institute, against 29% at Angelina 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.

Angelina College vs Arlington Career Institute: frequently asked questions

Is Angelina College or Arlington Career Institute a better value?
Angelina 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, Angelina College or Arlington Career Institute?
Angelina College: $7,773/yr net price after aid versus $24,633/yr at Arlington Career Institute — a difference of $16,860 a year, or about $67,440 over four years.
Do Angelina College or Arlington Career Institute graduates earn more?
Angelina College graduates earn a median $37,301 ten years after entry, versus $36,674 at Arlington Career Institute — a $627 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.