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Brazosport College vs Arlington Career Institute: which has better ROI?

Public, Lake Jackson TX · vs · Private for-profit, Arlington TX

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Brazosport College comes closer — median earnings $45,910 against a $18,928 total, vs $36,674 at Arlington Career Institute. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureBrazosport CollegeArlington Career Institute
Net price / yr$4,732$24,633
Total net cost$18,928$98,532
Median earnings, 10 yrs$45,910$36,674
Median debt$5,641$8,347
Payback
20-year net return-$67,928-$332,252

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

Which is cheaper, Brazosport College or Arlington Career Institute?

Brazosport College, at $4,732 a year after aid versus $24,633 — a gap of $19,901 a year, or $79,604 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Brazosport College or Arlington Career Institute graduates earn more?

Brazosport College graduates report a median $45,910 ten years after entry, $9,236 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, Brazosport College or Arlington Career Institute?

Brazosport College: its completers carry a median $5,641 in federal loans versus $8,347 at Arlington Career Institute, a difference of $2,706. 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 56% at Brazosport 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.

Brazosport College vs Arlington Career Institute: frequently asked questions

Is Brazosport College or Arlington Career Institute a better value?
Brazosport 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, Brazosport College or Arlington Career Institute?
Brazosport College: $4,732/yr net price after aid versus $24,633/yr at Arlington Career Institute — a difference of $19,901 a year, or about $79,604 over four years.
Do Brazosport College or Arlington Career Institute graduates earn more?
Brazosport College graduates earn a median $45,910 ten years after entry, versus $36,674 at Arlington Career Institute — a $9,236 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.