Arapahoe Community College vs Paul Mitchell the School-Colorado Springs: 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 $27,683 at Paul Mitchell the School-Colorado Springs. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Arapahoe Community College | Paul Mitchell the School-Colorado Springs |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $11,571 | $22,022 |
| Total net cost | $46,284 | $88,088 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $48,341 | $27,683 |
| Median debt | $11,884 | $7,667 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$46,664 | -$501,628 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Arapahoe Community College or Paul Mitchell the School-Colorado Springs?
Arapahoe Community College, at $11,571 a year after aid versus $22,022 — a gap of $10,451 a year, or $41,804 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 Paul Mitchell the School-Colorado Springs graduates earn more?
Arapahoe Community College graduates report a median $48,341 ten years after entry, $20,658 more than the $27,683 at Paul Mitchell the School-Colorado Springs. 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 Paul Mitchell the School-Colorado Springs?
Paul Mitchell the School-Colorado Springs: its completers carry a median $7,667 in federal loans versus $11,884 at Arapahoe Community College, a difference of $4,217. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
85% of students finish at Paul Mitchell the School-Colorado Springs, 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.