Arizona College-Glendale vs Penrose Academy: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Penrose Academy comes closer — median earnings $35,839 against a $90,344 total, vs $34,657 at Arizona College-Glendale. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Arizona College-Glendale | Penrose Academy |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $27,919 | $22,586 |
| Total net cost | $111,676 | $90,344 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $34,657 | $35,839 |
| Median debt | $9,500 | $6,333 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$385,736 | -$340,764 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Arizona College-Glendale or Penrose Academy?
Penrose Academy, at $22,586 a year after aid versus $27,919 — a gap of $5,333 a year, or $21,332 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 Penrose Academy graduates earn more?
Penrose Academy graduates report a median $35,839 ten years after entry, $1,182 more than the $34,657 at Arizona College-Glendale. 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 Penrose Academy?
Penrose Academy: its completers carry a median $6,333 in federal loans versus $9,500 at Arizona College-Glendale, a difference of $3,167. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
90% of students finish at Penrose Academy, against 85% at Arizona College-Glendale. 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.