Arizona College of Nursing-Tempe vs Northland Pioneer College: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Northland Pioneer College comes closer — median earnings $34,199 against a $36,960 total, vs $34,657 at Arizona College of Nursing-Tempe. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Arizona College of Nursing-Tempe | Northland Pioneer College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $31,681 | $9,240 |
| Total net cost | $126,724 | $36,960 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $34,657 | $34,199 |
| Median debt | $9,500 | — |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$400,784 | -$320,180 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Arizona College of Nursing-Tempe or Northland Pioneer College?
Northland Pioneer College, at $9,240 a year after aid versus $31,681 — a gap of $22,441 a year, or $89,764 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-Tempe or Northland Pioneer College graduates earn more?
Arizona College of Nursing-Tempe graduates report a median $34,657 ten years after entry, $458 more than the $34,199 at Northland Pioneer College. 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 graduates more of its students?
89% of students finish at Arizona College of Nursing-Tempe, against 22% at Northland Pioneer 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.