Apex Technical School vs Houghton University: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Houghton University comes closer — median earnings $46,721 against a $82,076 total, vs $41,093 at Apex Technical School. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Apex Technical School | Houghton University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $14,826 | $20,519 |
| Total net cost | $59,304 | $82,076 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $41,093 | $46,721 |
| Median debt | $9,500 | $25,250 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$204,644 | -$114,856 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Apex Technical School or Houghton University?
Apex Technical School, at $14,826 a year after aid versus $20,519 — a gap of $5,693 a year, or $22,772 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Apex Technical School or Houghton University graduates earn more?
Houghton University graduates report a median $46,721 ten years after entry, $5,628 more than the $41,093 at Apex Technical School. 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, Apex Technical School or Houghton University?
Apex Technical School: its completers carry a median $9,500 in federal loans versus $25,250 at Houghton University, a difference of $15,750. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
78% of students finish at Apex Technical School, against 65% at Houghton University. 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.