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GateWay Community College-Central City vs Arizona College of Nursing-Tucson: which has better ROI?

Public, Phoenix AZ · vs · Private for-profit, Tucson AZ

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but GateWay Community College-Central City comes closer — median earnings $46,147 against a $57,752 total, vs $34,657 at Arizona College of Nursing-Tucson. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureGateWay Community College-Central CityArizona College of Nursing-Tucson
Net price / yr$14,438$37,136
Total net cost$57,752$148,544
Median earnings, 10 yrs$46,147$34,657
Median debt$6,750$9,500
Payback
20-year net return-$102,012-$422,604

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

Which is cheaper, GateWay Community College-Central City or Arizona College of Nursing-Tucson?

GateWay Community College-Central City, at $14,438 a year after aid versus $37,136 — a gap of $22,698 a year, or $90,792 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do GateWay Community College-Central City or Arizona College of Nursing-Tucson graduates earn more?

GateWay Community College-Central City graduates report a median $46,147 ten years after entry, $11,490 more than the $34,657 at Arizona College of Nursing-Tucson. 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, GateWay Community College-Central City or Arizona College of Nursing-Tucson?

GateWay Community College-Central City: its completers carry a median $6,750 in federal loans versus $9,500 at Arizona College of Nursing-Tucson, a difference of $2,750. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

GateWay Community College-Central City vs Arizona College of Nursing-Tucson: frequently asked questions

Is GateWay Community College-Central City or Arizona College of Nursing-Tucson a better value?
GateWay Community College-Central 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, GateWay Community College-Central City or Arizona College of Nursing-Tucson?
GateWay Community College-Central City: $14,438/yr net price after aid versus $37,136/yr at Arizona College of Nursing-Tucson — a difference of $22,698 a year, or about $90,792 over four years.
Do GateWay Community College-Central City or Arizona College of Nursing-Tucson graduates earn more?
GateWay Community College-Central City graduates earn a median $46,147 ten years after entry, versus $34,657 at Arizona College of Nursing-Tucson — a $11,490 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.