Arlington Career Institute vs Lamson Institute: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Lamson Institute comes closer — median earnings $38,015 against a $106,348 total, vs $36,674 at Arlington Career Institute. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Arlington Career Institute | Lamson Institute |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $24,633 | $26,587 |
| Total net cost | $98,532 | $106,348 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $36,674 | $38,015 |
| Median debt | $8,347 | $7,853 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$332,252 | -$313,248 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Arlington Career Institute or Lamson Institute?
Arlington Career Institute, at $24,633 a year after aid versus $26,587 — a gap of $1,954 a year, or $7,816 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 Lamson Institute graduates earn more?
Lamson Institute graduates report a median $38,015 ten years after entry, $1,341 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 Lamson Institute?
Lamson Institute: its completers carry a median $7,853 in federal loans versus $8,347 at Arlington Career Institute, a difference of $494. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
80% of students finish at Lamson Institute, against 72% at Arlington Career Institute. 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.