College of Southern Nevada vs Avalon Institute-Las Vegas: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but College of Southern Nevada comes closer — median earnings $38,087 against a $13,230 total, vs $30,803 at Avalon Institute-Las Vegas. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | College of Southern Nevada | Avalon Institute-Las Vegas |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $6,615 | $16,571 |
| Total net cost | $13,230 | $66,284 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $38,087 | $30,803 |
| Median debt | $8,000 | $6,332 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$218,690 | -$417,424 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, College of Southern Nevada or Avalon Institute-Las Vegas?
College of Southern Nevada, at $6,615 a year after aid versus $16,571 — a gap of $9,956 a year, or $53,054 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 Nevada or Avalon Institute-Las Vegas graduates earn more?
College of Southern Nevada graduates report a median $38,087 ten years after entry, $7,284 more than the $30,803 at Avalon Institute-Las Vegas. 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 Nevada or Avalon Institute-Las Vegas?
Avalon Institute-Las Vegas: its completers carry a median $6,332 in federal loans versus $8,000 at College of Southern Nevada, a difference of $1,668. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
84% of students finish at Avalon Institute-Las Vegas, against 19% at College of Southern Nevada. 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.