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Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts-Boulder vs Paul Mitchell the School-Colorado Springs: which has better ROI?

Private for-profit, Boulder CO · vs · Private for-profit, Colorado Springs CO

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts-Boulder comes closer — median earnings $32,001 against a $53,468 total, vs $27,683 at Paul Mitchell the School-Colorado Springs. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureAuguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts-BoulderPaul Mitchell the School-Colorado Springs
Net price / yr$13,367$22,022
Total net cost$53,468$88,088
Median earnings, 10 yrs$32,001$27,683
Median debt$9,653$7,667
Payback
20-year net return-$380,648-$501,628

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

Which is cheaper, Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts-Boulder or Paul Mitchell the School-Colorado Springs?

Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts-Boulder, at $13,367 a year after aid versus $22,022 — a gap of $8,655 a year, or $34,620 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts-Boulder or Paul Mitchell the School-Colorado Springs graduates earn more?

Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts-Boulder graduates report a median $32,001 ten years after entry, $4,318 more than the $27,683 at Paul Mitchell the School-Colorado Springs. 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, Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts-Boulder or Paul Mitchell the School-Colorado Springs?

Paul Mitchell the School-Colorado Springs: its completers carry a median $7,667 in federal loans versus $9,653 at Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts-Boulder, a difference of $1,986. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

85% of students finish at Paul Mitchell the School-Colorado Springs, against 48% at Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts-Boulder. 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.

Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts-Boulder vs Paul Mitchell the School-Colorado Springs: frequently asked questions

Is Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts-Boulder or Paul Mitchell the School-Colorado Springs a better value?
Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts-Boulder 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, Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts-Boulder or Paul Mitchell the School-Colorado Springs?
Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts-Boulder: $13,367/yr net price after aid versus $22,022/yr at Paul Mitchell the School-Colorado Springs — a difference of $8,655 a year, or about $34,620 over four years.
Do Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts-Boulder or Paul Mitchell the School-Colorado Springs graduates earn more?
Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts-Boulder graduates earn a median $32,001 ten years after entry, versus $27,683 at Paul Mitchell the School-Colorado Springs — a $4,318 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.