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Arlington Career Institute vs College of Biblical Studies-Houston: which has better ROI?

Private for-profit, Arlington TX · vs · Private nonprofit, Houston TX

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but College of Biblical Studies-Houston comes closer — median earnings $39,260 against a $2,688 total, vs $36,674 at Arlington Career Institute. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureArlington Career InstituteCollege of Biblical Studies-Houston
Net price / yr$24,633$672
Total net cost$98,532$2,688
Median earnings, 10 yrs$36,674$39,260
Median debt$8,347$25,570
Payback
20-year net return-$332,252-$184,688

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

Which is cheaper, Arlington Career Institute or College of Biblical Studies-Houston?

College of Biblical Studies-Houston, at $672 a year after aid versus $24,633 — a gap of $23,961 a year, or $95,844 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 Career Institute or College of Biblical Studies-Houston graduates earn more?

College of Biblical Studies-Houston graduates report a median $39,260 ten years after entry, $2,586 more than the $36,674 at Arlington Career Institute. 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 Career Institute or College of Biblical Studies-Houston?

Arlington Career Institute: its completers carry a median $8,347 in federal loans versus $25,570 at College of Biblical Studies-Houston, a difference of $17,223. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

72% of students finish at Arlington Career Institute, against 40% at College of Biblical Studies-Houston. 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 Career Institute vs College of Biblical Studies-Houston: frequently asked questions

Is Arlington Career Institute or College of Biblical Studies-Houston a better value?
College of Biblical Studies-Houston 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 Career Institute or College of Biblical Studies-Houston?
College of Biblical Studies-Houston: $672/yr net price after aid versus $24,633/yr at Arlington Career Institute — a difference of $23,961 a year, or about $95,844 over four years.
Do Arlington Career Institute or College of Biblical Studies-Houston graduates earn more?
College of Biblical Studies-Houston graduates earn a median $39,260 ten years after entry, versus $36,674 at Arlington Career Institute — a $2,586 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.