Degree Dividend
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Carrington College-Albuquerque vs Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute: which has better ROI?

Private for-profit, Albuquerque NM · vs · Public, Albuquerque NM

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute comes closer — median earnings $27,660 against a $10,362 total, vs $36,718 at Carrington College-Albuquerque. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureCarrington College-AlbuquerqueSouthwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute
Net price / yr$49,030$5,181
Total net cost$196,120$10,362
Median earnings, 10 yrs$36,718$27,660
Median debt$9,500
Payback
20-year net return-$428,960-$424,362

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

Which is cheaper, Carrington College-Albuquerque or Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute?

Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute, at $5,181 a year after aid versus $49,030 — a gap of $43,849 a year, or $185,758 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Carrington College-Albuquerque or Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute graduates earn more?

Carrington College-Albuquerque graduates report a median $36,718 ten years after entry, $9,058 more than the $27,660 at Southwestern Indian Polytechnic 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 graduates more of its students?

65% of students finish at Carrington College-Albuquerque, against 14% at Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute. 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.

Carrington College-Albuquerque vs Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute: frequently asked questions

Is Carrington College-Albuquerque or Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute a better value?
Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute 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, Carrington College-Albuquerque or Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute?
Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute: $5,181/yr net price after aid versus $49,030/yr at Carrington College-Albuquerque — a difference of $43,849 a year, or about $185,758 over four years.
Do Carrington College-Albuquerque or Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute graduates earn more?
Carrington College-Albuquerque graduates earn a median $36,718 ten years after entry, versus $27,660 at Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute — a $9,058 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.