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Great Basin College vs Avalon Institute-Las Vegas: which has better ROI?

Public, Elko NV · vs · Private for-profit, Las Vegas NV

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Great Basin College comes closer — median earnings $39,289 against a $33,884 total, vs $30,803 at Avalon Institute-Las Vegas. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureGreat Basin CollegeAvalon Institute-Las Vegas
Net price / yr$8,471$16,571
Total net cost$33,884$66,284
Median earnings, 10 yrs$39,289$30,803
Median debt$15,750$6,332
Payback
20-year net return-$215,304-$417,424

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

Which is cheaper, Great Basin College or Avalon Institute-Las Vegas?

Great Basin College, at $8,471 a year after aid versus $16,571 — a gap of $8,100 a year, or $32,400 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Great Basin College or Avalon Institute-Las Vegas graduates earn more?

Great Basin College graduates report a median $39,289 ten years after entry, $8,486 more than the $30,803 at Avalon Institute-Las Vegas. 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, Great Basin College or Avalon Institute-Las Vegas?

Avalon Institute-Las Vegas: its completers carry a median $6,332 in federal loans versus $15,750 at Great Basin College, a difference of $9,418. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

84% of students finish at Avalon Institute-Las Vegas, against 41% at Great Basin 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.

Great Basin College vs Avalon Institute-Las Vegas: frequently asked questions

Is Great Basin College or Avalon Institute-Las Vegas a better value?
Great Basin 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, Great Basin College or Avalon Institute-Las Vegas?
Great Basin College: $8,471/yr net price after aid versus $16,571/yr at Avalon Institute-Las Vegas — a difference of $8,100 a year, or about $32,400 over four years.
Do Great Basin College or Avalon Institute-Las Vegas graduates earn more?
Great Basin College graduates earn a median $39,289 ten years after entry, versus $30,803 at Avalon Institute-Las Vegas — a $8,486 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.