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Fort Lewis College vs Arizona College of Nursing-Aurora: which has better ROI?

Public, Durango CO · vs · Private for-profit, Aurora CO

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Fort Lewis College comes closer — median earnings $46,349 against a $69,184 total, vs $34,657 at Arizona College of Nursing-Aurora. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureFort Lewis CollegeArizona College of Nursing-Aurora
Net price / yr$17,296$37,153
Total net cost$69,184$148,612
Median earnings, 10 yrs$46,349$34,657
Median debt$18,389$9,500
Payback
20-year net return-$109,404-$422,672

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

Which is cheaper, Fort Lewis College or Arizona College of Nursing-Aurora?

Fort Lewis College, at $17,296 a year after aid versus $37,153 — a gap of $19,857 a year, or $79,428 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Fort Lewis College or Arizona College of Nursing-Aurora graduates earn more?

Fort Lewis College graduates report a median $46,349 ten years after entry, $11,692 more than the $34,657 at Arizona College of Nursing-Aurora. 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, Fort Lewis College or Arizona College of Nursing-Aurora?

Arizona College of Nursing-Aurora: its completers carry a median $9,500 in federal loans versus $18,389 at Fort Lewis College, a difference of $8,889. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Fort Lewis College vs Arizona College of Nursing-Aurora: frequently asked questions

Is Fort Lewis College or Arizona College of Nursing-Aurora a better value?
Fort Lewis 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, Fort Lewis College or Arizona College of Nursing-Aurora?
Fort Lewis College: $17,296/yr net price after aid versus $37,153/yr at Arizona College of Nursing-Aurora — a difference of $19,857 a year, or about $79,428 over four years.
Do Fort Lewis College or Arizona College of Nursing-Aurora graduates earn more?
Fort Lewis College graduates earn a median $46,349 ten years after entry, versus $34,657 at Arizona College of Nursing-Aurora — a $11,692 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.