Apex Technical School vs Simon's Rock at Bard College: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Simon's Rock at Bard College comes closer — median earnings $46,543 against a $63,250 total, vs $41,093 at Apex Technical School. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Apex Technical School | Simon's Rock at Bard College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $14,826 | $31,625 |
| Total net cost | $59,304 | $63,250 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $41,093 | $46,543 |
| Median debt | $9,500 | $24,254 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$204,644 | -$99,590 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Apex Technical School or Simon's Rock at Bard College?
Apex Technical School, at $14,826 a year after aid versus $31,625 — a gap of $16,799 a year, or $3,946 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 Simon's Rock at Bard College graduates earn more?
Simon's Rock at Bard College graduates report a median $46,543 ten years after entry, $5,450 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 Simon's Rock at Bard College?
Apex Technical School: its completers carry a median $9,500 in federal loans versus $24,254 at Simon's Rock at Bard College, a difference of $14,754. 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 68% at Simon's Rock at Bard 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.