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Grand Rapids Community College vs Arizona College of Nursing-Southfield: which has better ROI?

Public, Grand Rapids MI · vs · Private for-profit, Southfield MI

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Grand Rapids Community College comes closer — median earnings $38,377 against a $17,242 total, vs $34,657 at Arizona College of Nursing-Southfield. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureGrand Rapids Community CollegeArizona College of Nursing-Southfield
Net price / yr$8,621$38,786
Total net cost$17,242$155,144
Median earnings, 10 yrs$38,377$34,657
Median debt$9,000$9,500
Payback
20-year net return-$216,902-$429,204

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

Which is cheaper, Grand Rapids Community College or Arizona College of Nursing-Southfield?

Grand Rapids Community College, at $8,621 a year after aid versus $38,786 — a gap of $30,165 a year, or $137,902 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Grand Rapids Community College or Arizona College of Nursing-Southfield graduates earn more?

Grand Rapids Community College graduates report a median $38,377 ten years after entry, $3,720 more than the $34,657 at Arizona College of Nursing-Southfield. 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, Grand Rapids Community College or Arizona College of Nursing-Southfield?

Grand Rapids Community College: its completers carry a median $9,000 in federal loans versus $9,500 at Arizona College of Nursing-Southfield, a difference of $500. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Grand Rapids Community College vs Arizona College of Nursing-Southfield: frequently asked questions

Is Grand Rapids Community College or Arizona College of Nursing-Southfield a better value?
Grand Rapids 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, Grand Rapids Community College or Arizona College of Nursing-Southfield?
Grand Rapids Community College: $8,621/yr net price after aid versus $38,786/yr at Arizona College of Nursing-Southfield — a difference of $30,165 a year, or about $137,902 over four years.
Do Grand Rapids Community College or Arizona College of Nursing-Southfield graduates earn more?
Grand Rapids Community College graduates earn a median $38,377 ten years after entry, versus $34,657 at Arizona College of Nursing-Southfield — a $3,720 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.