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East Central College vs Academy of Hair Design-Springfield: which has better ROI?

Public, Union MO · vs · Private for-profit, Springfield MO

By the Degree Dividend editorial data teamEvery figure verified against its federal source — methodologyData updated June 2026

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but East Central College comes closer — median earnings $36,916 against a $26,256 total, vs $25,129 at Academy of Hair Design-Springfield. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureEast Central CollegeAcademy of Hair Design-Springfield
Net price / yr$13,128$15,904
Total net cost$26,256$63,616
Median earnings, 10 yrs$36,916$25,129
Median debt$9,500$9,500
Payback——
20-year net return-$255,136-$528,236

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

Which is cheaper, East Central College or Academy of Hair Design-Springfield?

East Central College, at $13,128 a year after aid versus $15,904 — a gap of $2,776 a year, or $37,360 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do East Central College or Academy of Hair Design-Springfield graduates earn more?

East Central College graduates report a median $36,916 ten years after entry, $11,787 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, East Central College or Academy of Hair Design-Springfield?

Completers at both borrow a median $9,500, so neither school has the debt advantage. That figure covers federal loans of students who finished — borrowers who leave early are not counted, and private loans sit outside it.

Which graduates more of its students?

64% of students finish at Academy of Hair Design-Springfield, against 48% at East Central 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.

East Central College vs Academy of Hair Design-Springfield: frequently asked questions

Is East Central College or Academy of Hair Design-Springfield a better value?
East Central 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, East Central College or Academy of Hair Design-Springfield?
East Central College: $13,128/yr net price after aid versus $15,904/yr at Academy of Hair Design-Springfield — a difference of $2,776 a year, or about $37,360 over four years.
Do East Central College or Academy of Hair Design-Springfield graduates earn more?
East Central College graduates earn a median $36,916 ten years after entry, versus $25,129 at Academy of Hair Design-Springfield — a $11,787 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.