Arlington Baptist University vs Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Arlington Baptist University comes closer — median earnings $44,644 against a $99,624 total, vs $37,786 at Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Arlington Baptist University | Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $24,906 | $44,047 |
| Total net cost | $99,624 | $88,094 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $44,644 | $37,786 |
| Median debt | $27,000 | $9,500 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$173,944 | -$299,574 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Arlington Baptist University or Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service?
Arlington Baptist University, at $24,906 a year after aid versus $44,047 — a gap of $19,141 a year, or $11,530 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Arlington Baptist University or Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service graduates earn more?
Arlington Baptist University graduates report a median $44,644 ten years after entry, $6,858 more than the $37,786 at Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service. 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, Arlington Baptist University or Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service?
Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service: its completers carry a median $9,500 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Arlington Baptist University, a difference of $17,500. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
55% of students finish at Commonwealth Institute of Funeral Service, against 19% at Arlington Baptist University. 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.