Arizona College-Glendale vs Avalon Institute-Mesa: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Arizona College-Glendale comes closer — median earnings $34,657 against a $111,676 total, vs $30,803 at Avalon Institute-Mesa. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Arizona College-Glendale | Avalon Institute-Mesa |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $27,919 | $18,972 |
| Total net cost | $111,676 | $75,888 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $34,657 | $30,803 |
| Median debt | $9,500 | $6,332 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$385,736 | -$427,028 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Arizona College-Glendale or Avalon Institute-Mesa?
Avalon Institute-Mesa, at $18,972 a year after aid versus $27,919 — a gap of $8,947 a year, or $35,788 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Arizona College-Glendale or Avalon Institute-Mesa graduates earn more?
Arizona College-Glendale graduates report a median $34,657 ten years after entry, $3,854 more than the $30,803 at Avalon Institute-Mesa. 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, Arizona College-Glendale or Avalon Institute-Mesa?
Avalon Institute-Mesa: its completers carry a median $6,332 in federal loans versus $9,500 at Arizona College-Glendale, a difference of $3,168. 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 Arizona College-Glendale, against 84% at Avalon Institute-Mesa. 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.