Degree Dividend
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Fortis College-Salt Lake City vs Paul Mitchell the School-Salt Lake City: which has better ROI?

Private for-profit, Salt Lake City UT · vs · Private for-profit, Holladay UT

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Fortis College-Salt Lake City comes closer — median earnings $34,509 against a $55,172 total, vs $26,893 at Paul Mitchell the School-Salt Lake City. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureFortis College-Salt Lake CityPaul Mitchell the School-Salt Lake City
Net price / yr$27,586$22,214
Total net cost$55,172$88,856
Median earnings, 10 yrs$34,509$26,893
Median debt$13,000$9,500
Payback
20-year net return-$332,192-$518,196

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

Which is cheaper, Fortis College-Salt Lake City or Paul Mitchell the School-Salt Lake City?

Paul Mitchell the School-Salt Lake City, at $22,214 a year after aid versus $27,586 — a gap of $5,372 a year, or $33,684 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Fortis College-Salt Lake City or Paul Mitchell the School-Salt Lake City graduates earn more?

Fortis College-Salt Lake City graduates report a median $34,509 ten years after entry, $7,616 more than the $26,893 at Paul Mitchell the School-Salt Lake City. 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, Fortis College-Salt Lake City or Paul Mitchell the School-Salt Lake City?

Paul Mitchell the School-Salt Lake City: its completers carry a median $9,500 in federal loans versus $13,000 at Fortis College-Salt Lake City, a difference of $3,500. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

88% of students finish at Paul Mitchell the School-Salt Lake City, against 60% at Fortis College-Salt Lake City. 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.

Fortis College-Salt Lake City vs Paul Mitchell the School-Salt Lake City: frequently asked questions

Is Fortis College-Salt Lake City or Paul Mitchell the School-Salt Lake City a better value?
Fortis College-Salt Lake City 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, Fortis College-Salt Lake City or Paul Mitchell the School-Salt Lake City?
Paul Mitchell the School-Salt Lake City: $22,214/yr net price after aid versus $27,586/yr at Fortis College-Salt Lake City — a difference of $5,372 a year, or about $33,684 over four years.
Do Fortis College-Salt Lake City or Paul Mitchell the School-Salt Lake City graduates earn more?
Fortis College-Salt Lake City graduates earn a median $34,509 ten years after entry, versus $26,893 at Paul Mitchell the School-Salt Lake City — a $7,616 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.