Arizona Western College vs Alturas Cosmetology of Arizona LLC: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Arizona Western College comes closer — median earnings $36,857 against a $35,932 total, vs $27,201 at Alturas Cosmetology of Arizona LLC. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Arizona Western College | Alturas Cosmetology of Arizona LLC |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $8,983 | $13,257 |
| Total net cost | $35,932 | $53,028 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $36,857 | $27,201 |
| Median debt | $4,826 | $6,221 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$265,992 | -$476,208 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Arizona Western College or Alturas Cosmetology of Arizona LLC?
Arizona Western College, at $8,983 a year after aid versus $13,257 — a gap of $4,274 a year, or $17,096 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 Western College or Alturas Cosmetology of Arizona LLC graduates earn more?
Arizona Western College graduates report a median $36,857 ten years after entry, $9,656 more than the $27,201 at Alturas Cosmetology of Arizona LLC. 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 Western College or Alturas Cosmetology of Arizona LLC?
Arizona Western College: its completers carry a median $4,826 in federal loans versus $6,221 at Alturas Cosmetology of Arizona LLC, a difference of $1,395. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
77% of students finish at Alturas Cosmetology of Arizona LLC, against 20% at Arizona Western 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.