Arizona College of Nursing-Phoenix vs Empire Beauty School-Tucson: which has better ROI?
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 $25,073 at Empire Beauty School-Tucson. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Arizona College of Nursing-Phoenix | Empire Beauty School-Tucson |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $36,660 | $17,013 |
| Total net cost | $146,640 | $68,052 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $34,657 | $25,073 |
| Median debt | $9,500 | $13,000 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$420,700 | -$533,792 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Arizona College of Nursing-Phoenix or Empire Beauty School-Tucson?
Empire Beauty School-Tucson, at $17,013 a year after aid versus $36,660 — a gap of $19,647 a year, or $78,588 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 Empire Beauty School-Tucson graduates earn more?
Arizona College of Nursing-Phoenix graduates report a median $34,657 ten years after entry, $9,584 more than the $25,073 at Empire Beauty School-Tucson. 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 Empire Beauty School-Tucson?
Arizona College of Nursing-Phoenix: its completers carry a median $9,500 in federal loans versus $13,000 at Empire Beauty School-Tucson, a difference of $3,500. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.