Degree Dividend
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Arlington Baptist University vs Milan Institute of Cosmetology-San Antonio Military: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Arlington TX · vs · Private for-profit, San Antonio TX

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Arlington Baptist University comes closer — median earnings $44,644 against a $99,624 total, vs $22,378 at Milan Institute of Cosmetology-San Antonio Military. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureArlington Baptist UniversityMilan Institute of Cosmetology-San Antonio Military
Net price / yr$24,906$17,941
Total net cost$99,624$71,764
Median earnings, 10 yrs$44,644$22,378
Median debt$27,000$6,333
Payback
20-year net return-$173,944-$591,404

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

Which is cheaper, Arlington Baptist University or Milan Institute of Cosmetology-San Antonio Military?

Milan Institute of Cosmetology-San Antonio Military, at $17,941 a year after aid versus $24,906 — a gap of $6,965 a year, or $27,860 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 Milan Institute of Cosmetology-San Antonio Military graduates earn more?

Arlington Baptist University graduates report a median $44,644 ten years after entry, $22,266 more than the $22,378 at Milan Institute of Cosmetology-San Antonio Military. 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 Milan Institute of Cosmetology-San Antonio Military?

Milan Institute of Cosmetology-San Antonio Military: its completers carry a median $6,333 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Arlington Baptist University, a difference of $20,667. 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 Milan Institute of Cosmetology-San Antonio Military, 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.

Arlington Baptist University vs Milan Institute of Cosmetology-San Antonio Military: frequently asked questions

Is Arlington Baptist University or Milan Institute of Cosmetology-San Antonio Military a better value?
Arlington Baptist University 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, Arlington Baptist University or Milan Institute of Cosmetology-San Antonio Military?
Milan Institute of Cosmetology-San Antonio Military: $17,941/yr net price after aid versus $24,906/yr at Arlington Baptist University — a difference of $6,965 a year, or about $27,860 over four years.
Do Arlington Baptist University or Milan Institute of Cosmetology-San Antonio Military graduates earn more?
Arlington Baptist University graduates earn a median $44,644 ten years after entry, versus $22,378 at Milan Institute of Cosmetology-San Antonio Military — a $22,266 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.