Degree Dividend
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Emily Griffith Technical College vs Arapahoe Community College: which has better ROI?

Public, Denver CO · vs · Public, Littleton CO

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Arapahoe Community College comes closer — median earnings $48,341 against a $46,284 total, vs $35,487 at Emily Griffith Technical College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureEmily Griffith Technical CollegeArapahoe Community College
Net price / yr$7,197$11,571
Total net cost$28,788$46,284
Median earnings, 10 yrs$35,487$48,341
Median debt$11,884
Payback
20-year net return-$286,248-$46,664

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

Which is cheaper, Emily Griffith Technical College or Arapahoe Community College?

Emily Griffith Technical College, at $7,197 a year after aid versus $11,571 — a gap of $4,374 a year, or $17,496 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Emily Griffith Technical College or Arapahoe Community College graduates earn more?

Arapahoe Community College graduates report a median $48,341 ten years after entry, $12,854 more than the $35,487 at Emily Griffith Technical College. 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 graduates more of its students?

97% of students finish at Emily Griffith Technical College, against 29% at Arapahoe Community 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.

Emily Griffith Technical College vs Arapahoe Community College: frequently asked questions

Is Emily Griffith Technical College or Arapahoe Community College a better value?
Arapahoe Community 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, Emily Griffith Technical College or Arapahoe Community College?
Emily Griffith Technical College: $7,197/yr net price after aid versus $11,571/yr at Arapahoe Community College — a difference of $4,374 a year, or about $17,496 over four years.
Do Emily Griffith Technical College or Arapahoe Community College graduates earn more?
Arapahoe Community College graduates earn a median $48,341 ten years after entry, versus $35,487 at Emily Griffith Technical College — a $12,854 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.