Arlington Career Institute vs South University-Austin: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Arlington Career Institute comes closer — median earnings $36,674 against a $98,532 total, vs $34,421 at South University-Austin. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Arlington Career Institute | South University-Austin |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $24,633 | $25,680 |
| Total net cost | $98,532 | $102,720 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $36,674 | $34,421 |
| Median debt | $8,347 | $26,123 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$332,252 | -$381,500 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Arlington Career Institute or South University-Austin?
Arlington Career Institute, at $24,633 a year after aid versus $25,680 — a gap of $1,047 a year, or $4,188 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 South University-Austin graduates earn more?
Arlington Career Institute graduates report a median $36,674 ten years after entry, $2,253 more than the $34,421 at South University-Austin. 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 South University-Austin?
Arlington Career Institute: its completers carry a median $8,347 in federal loans versus $26,123 at South University-Austin, a difference of $17,776. 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 0% at South University-Austin. 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.