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Culver-Stockton College vs Academy of Hair Design-Springfield: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Canton MO · vs · Private for-profit, Springfield MO

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Culver-Stockton College comes closer — median earnings $46,092 against a $87,932 total, vs $25,129 at Academy of Hair Design-Springfield. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureCulver-Stockton CollegeAcademy of Hair Design-Springfield
Net price / yr$21,983$15,904
Total net cost$87,932$63,616
Median earnings, 10 yrs$46,092$25,129
Median debt$26,000$9,500
Payback
20-year net return-$133,292-$528,236

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

Which is cheaper, Culver-Stockton College or Academy of Hair Design-Springfield?

Academy of Hair Design-Springfield, at $15,904 a year after aid versus $21,983 — a gap of $6,079 a year, or $24,316 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Culver-Stockton College or Academy of Hair Design-Springfield graduates earn more?

Culver-Stockton College graduates report a median $46,092 ten years after entry, $20,963 more than the $25,129 at Academy of Hair Design-Springfield. 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, Culver-Stockton College or Academy of Hair Design-Springfield?

Academy of Hair Design-Springfield: its completers carry a median $9,500 in federal loans versus $26,000 at Culver-Stockton College, a difference of $16,500. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

64% of students finish at Academy of Hair Design-Springfield, against 39% at Culver-Stockton College. 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.

Culver-Stockton College vs Academy of Hair Design-Springfield: frequently asked questions

Is Culver-Stockton College or Academy of Hair Design-Springfield a better value?
Culver-Stockton College 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, Culver-Stockton College or Academy of Hair Design-Springfield?
Academy of Hair Design-Springfield: $15,904/yr net price after aid versus $21,983/yr at Culver-Stockton College — a difference of $6,079 a year, or about $24,316 over four years.
Do Culver-Stockton College or Academy of Hair Design-Springfield graduates earn more?
Culver-Stockton College graduates earn a median $46,092 ten years after entry, versus $25,129 at Academy of Hair Design-Springfield — a $20,963 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.