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College of Eastern Idaho vs Oliver Finley Academy of Cosmetology: which has better ROI?

Public, Idaho Falls ID · vs · Private for-profit, Boise ID

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but College of Eastern Idaho comes closer — median earnings $42,057 against a $17,556 total, vs $26,323 at Oliver Finley Academy of Cosmetology. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureCollege of Eastern IdahoOliver Finley Academy of Cosmetology
Net price / yr$8,778$20,033
Total net cost$17,556$80,132
Median earnings, 10 yrs$42,057$26,323
Median debt$12,000$6,333
Payback
20-year net return-$143,616-$520,872

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

Which is cheaper, College of Eastern Idaho or Oliver Finley Academy of Cosmetology?

College of Eastern Idaho, at $8,778 a year after aid versus $20,033 — a gap of $11,255 a year, or $62,576 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do College of Eastern Idaho or Oliver Finley Academy of Cosmetology graduates earn more?

College of Eastern Idaho graduates report a median $42,057 ten years after entry, $15,734 more than the $26,323 at Oliver Finley Academy of Cosmetology. 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, College of Eastern Idaho or Oliver Finley Academy of Cosmetology?

Oliver Finley Academy of Cosmetology: its completers carry a median $6,333 in federal loans versus $12,000 at College of Eastern Idaho, a difference of $5,667. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

88% of students finish at Oliver Finley Academy of Cosmetology, against 39% at College of Eastern Idaho. 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.

College of Eastern Idaho vs Oliver Finley Academy of Cosmetology: frequently asked questions

Is College of Eastern Idaho or Oliver Finley Academy of Cosmetology a better value?
College of Eastern Idaho 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, College of Eastern Idaho or Oliver Finley Academy of Cosmetology?
College of Eastern Idaho: $8,778/yr net price after aid versus $20,033/yr at Oliver Finley Academy of Cosmetology — a difference of $11,255 a year, or about $62,576 over four years.
Do College of Eastern Idaho or Oliver Finley Academy of Cosmetology graduates earn more?
College of Eastern Idaho graduates earn a median $42,057 ten years after entry, versus $26,323 at Oliver Finley Academy of Cosmetology — a $15,734 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.