Carl Sandburg College vs Cosmetology & Spa Academy: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Carl Sandburg College comes closer — median earnings $35,274 against a $7,324 total, vs $29,779 at Cosmetology & Spa Academy. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Carl Sandburg College | Cosmetology & Spa Academy |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $3,662 | $16,708 |
| Total net cost | $7,324 | $66,832 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $35,274 | $29,779 |
| Median debt | $4,909 | $7,917 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$269,044 | -$438,452 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Carl Sandburg College or Cosmetology & Spa Academy?
Carl Sandburg College, at $3,662 a year after aid versus $16,708 — a gap of $13,046 a year, or $59,508 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Carl Sandburg College or Cosmetology & Spa Academy graduates earn more?
Carl Sandburg College graduates report a median $35,274 ten years after entry, $5,495 more than the $29,779 at Cosmetology & Spa Academy. 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, Carl Sandburg College or Cosmetology & Spa Academy?
Carl Sandburg College: its completers carry a median $4,909 in federal loans versus $7,917 at Cosmetology & Spa Academy, a difference of $3,008. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
70% of students finish at Cosmetology & Spa Academy, against 50% at Carl Sandburg 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.