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Arlington Career Institute vs Dallas Christian College: which has better ROI?

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

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Dallas Christian College comes closer — median earnings $43,503 against a $91,840 total, vs $36,674 at Arlington Career Institute. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureArlington Career InstituteDallas Christian College
Net price / yr$24,633$22,960
Total net cost$98,532$91,840
Median earnings, 10 yrs$36,674$43,503
Median debt$8,347$24,912
Payback
20-year net return-$332,252-$188,980

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

Which is cheaper, Arlington Career Institute or Dallas Christian College?

Dallas Christian College, at $22,960 a year after aid versus $24,633 — a gap of $1,673 a year, or $6,692 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 Dallas Christian College graduates earn more?

Dallas Christian College graduates report a median $43,503 ten years after entry, $6,829 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 Dallas Christian College?

Arlington Career Institute: its completers carry a median $8,347 in federal loans versus $24,912 at Dallas Christian College, a difference of $16,565. 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 29% at Dallas Christian 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.

Arlington Career Institute vs Dallas Christian College: frequently asked questions

Is Arlington Career Institute or Dallas Christian College a better value?
Dallas Christian College 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 Dallas Christian College?
Dallas Christian College: $22,960/yr net price after aid versus $24,633/yr at Arlington Career Institute — a difference of $1,673 a year, or about $6,692 over four years.
Do Arlington Career Institute or Dallas Christian College graduates earn more?
Dallas Christian College graduates earn a median $43,503 ten years after entry, versus $36,674 at Arlington Career Institute — a $6,829 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.