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Asbury University vs PJ's College of Cosmetology-Bowling Green: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Wilmore KY · vs · Private for-profit, Bowling Green KY

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Asbury University comes closer — median earnings $42,368 against a $85,604 total, vs $20,392 at PJ's College of Cosmetology-Bowling Green. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureAsbury UniversityPJ's College of Cosmetology-Bowling Green
Net price / yr$21,401$26,577
Total net cost$85,604$106,308
Median earnings, 10 yrs$42,368$20,392
Median debt$24,028$7,917
Payback
20-year net return-$205,444-$665,668

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

Which is cheaper, Asbury University or PJ's College of Cosmetology-Bowling Green?

Asbury University, at $21,401 a year after aid versus $26,577 — a gap of $5,176 a year, or $20,704 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Asbury University or PJ's College of Cosmetology-Bowling Green graduates earn more?

Asbury University graduates report a median $42,368 ten years after entry, $21,976 more than the $20,392 at PJ's College of Cosmetology-Bowling Green. 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, Asbury University or PJ's College of Cosmetology-Bowling Green?

PJ's College of Cosmetology-Bowling Green: its completers carry a median $7,917 in federal loans versus $24,028 at Asbury University, a difference of $16,111. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

65% of students finish at Asbury University, against 64% at PJ's College of Cosmetology-Bowling Green. 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.

Asbury University vs PJ's College of Cosmetology-Bowling Green: frequently asked questions

Is Asbury University or PJ's College of Cosmetology-Bowling Green a better value?
Asbury 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, Asbury University or PJ's College of Cosmetology-Bowling Green?
Asbury University: $21,401/yr net price after aid versus $26,577/yr at PJ's College of Cosmetology-Bowling Green — a difference of $5,176 a year, or about $20,704 over four years.
Do Asbury University or PJ's College of Cosmetology-Bowling Green graduates earn more?
Asbury University graduates earn a median $42,368 ten years after entry, versus $20,392 at PJ's College of Cosmetology-Bowling Green — a $21,976 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.