Carrington College-Albuquerque vs University of the Southwest: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but University of the Southwest comes closer — median earnings $45,389 against a $67,708 total, vs $36,718 at Carrington College-Albuquerque. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Carrington College-Albuquerque | University of the Southwest |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $49,030 | $16,927 |
| Total net cost | $196,120 | $67,708 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $36,718 | $45,389 |
| Median debt | $9,500 | $21,303 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$428,960 | -$127,128 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Carrington College-Albuquerque or University of the Southwest?
University of the Southwest, at $16,927 a year after aid versus $49,030 — a gap of $32,103 a year, or $128,412 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 University of the Southwest graduates earn more?
University of the Southwest graduates report a median $45,389 ten years after entry, $8,671 more than the $36,718 at Carrington College-Albuquerque. 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, Carrington College-Albuquerque or University of the Southwest?
Carrington College-Albuquerque: its completers carry a median $9,500 in federal loans versus $21,303 at University of the Southwest, a difference of $11,803. 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 Carrington College-Albuquerque, against 17% at University of the Southwest. 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.