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Arizona College of Nursing-Phoenix vs Carrington College-Mesa: which has better ROI?

Private for-profit, Phoenix AZ · vs · Private for-profit, Mesa AZ

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Arizona College of Nursing-Phoenix comes closer — median earnings $34,657 against a $146,640 total, vs $36,718 at Carrington College-Mesa. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureArizona College of Nursing-PhoenixCarrington College-Mesa
Net price / yr$36,660$48,877
Total net cost$146,640$195,508
Median earnings, 10 yrs$34,657$36,718
Median debt$9,500$9,500
Payback
20-year net return-$420,700-$428,348

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, Arizona College of Nursing-Phoenix or Carrington College-Mesa?

Arizona College of Nursing-Phoenix, at $36,660 a year after aid versus $48,877 — a gap of $12,217 a year, or $48,868 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 of Nursing-Phoenix or Carrington College-Mesa graduates earn more?

Carrington College-Mesa graduates report a median $36,718 ten years after entry, $2,061 more than the $34,657 at Arizona College of Nursing-Phoenix. 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 of Nursing-Phoenix or Carrington College-Mesa?

Completers at both borrow a median $9,500, so neither school has the debt advantage. That figure covers federal loans of students who finished — borrowers who leave early are not counted, and private loans sit outside it.

Arizona College of Nursing-Phoenix vs Carrington College-Mesa: frequently asked questions

Is Arizona College of Nursing-Phoenix or Carrington College-Mesa a better value?
Arizona College of Nursing-Phoenix comes closer, but neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings — the field you study decides it here more than the school.
Which is cheaper, Arizona College of Nursing-Phoenix or Carrington College-Mesa?
Arizona College of Nursing-Phoenix: $36,660/yr net price after aid versus $48,877/yr at Carrington College-Mesa — a difference of $12,217 a year, or about $48,868 over four years.
Do Arizona College of Nursing-Phoenix or Carrington College-Mesa graduates earn more?
Carrington College-Mesa graduates earn a median $36,718 ten years after entry, versus $34,657 at Arizona College of Nursing-Phoenix — a $2,061 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.