College of Southern Idaho vs Oliver Finley Academy of Cosmetology: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but College of Southern Idaho comes closer — median earnings $40,916 against a $12,190 total, vs $26,323 at Oliver Finley Academy of Cosmetology. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | College of Southern Idaho | Oliver Finley Academy of Cosmetology |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $6,095 | $20,033 |
| Total net cost | $12,190 | $80,132 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $40,916 | $26,323 |
| Median debt | $8,000 | $6,333 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$161,070 | -$520,872 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, College of Southern Idaho or Oliver Finley Academy of Cosmetology?
College of Southern Idaho, at $6,095 a year after aid versus $20,033 — a gap of $13,938 a year, or $67,942 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 Southern Idaho or Oliver Finley Academy of Cosmetology graduates earn more?
College of Southern Idaho graduates report a median $40,916 ten years after entry, $14,593 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 Southern Idaho or Oliver Finley Academy of Cosmetology?
Oliver Finley Academy of Cosmetology: its completers carry a median $6,333 in federal loans versus $8,000 at College of Southern Idaho, a difference of $1,667. 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 33% at College of Southern 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.