Arapahoe Community College vs Aveda Institute-Denver: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Arapahoe Community College comes closer — median earnings $48,341 against a $46,284 total, vs $38,020 at Aveda Institute-Denver. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Arapahoe Community College | Aveda Institute-Denver |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $11,571 | $20,167 |
| Total net cost | $46,284 | $80,668 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $48,341 | $38,020 |
| Median debt | $11,884 | $9,829 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$46,664 | -$287,468 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Arapahoe Community College or Aveda Institute-Denver?
Arapahoe Community College, at $11,571 a year after aid versus $20,167 — a gap of $8,596 a year, or $34,384 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Arapahoe Community College or Aveda Institute-Denver graduates earn more?
Arapahoe Community College graduates report a median $48,341 ten years after entry, $10,321 more than the $38,020 at Aveda Institute-Denver. 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, Arapahoe Community College or Aveda Institute-Denver?
Aveda Institute-Denver: its completers carry a median $9,829 in federal loans versus $11,884 at Arapahoe Community College, a difference of $2,055. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
84% of students finish at Aveda Institute-Denver, against 29% at Arapahoe Community 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.