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Hannibal-LaGrange University vs Academy of Hair Design-Springfield: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Hannibal MO · vs · Private for-profit, Springfield MO

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Hannibal-LaGrange University comes closer — median earnings $42,643 against a $91,256 total, vs $25,129 at Academy of Hair Design-Springfield. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureHannibal-LaGrange UniversityAcademy of Hair Design-Springfield
Net price / yr$22,814$15,904
Total net cost$91,256$63,616
Median earnings, 10 yrs$42,643$25,129
Median debt$18,599$9,500
Payback
20-year net return-$205,596-$528,236

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

Which is cheaper, Hannibal-LaGrange University or Academy of Hair Design-Springfield?

Academy of Hair Design-Springfield, at $15,904 a year after aid versus $22,814 — a gap of $6,910 a year, or $27,640 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Hannibal-LaGrange University or Academy of Hair Design-Springfield graduates earn more?

Hannibal-LaGrange University graduates report a median $42,643 ten years after entry, $17,514 more than the $25,129 at Academy of Hair Design-Springfield. 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, Hannibal-LaGrange University or Academy of Hair Design-Springfield?

Academy of Hair Design-Springfield: its completers carry a median $9,500 in federal loans versus $18,599 at Hannibal-LaGrange University, a difference of $9,099. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

64% of students finish at Academy of Hair Design-Springfield, against 50% at Hannibal-LaGrange University. 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.

Hannibal-LaGrange University vs Academy of Hair Design-Springfield: frequently asked questions

Is Hannibal-LaGrange University or Academy of Hair Design-Springfield a better value?
Hannibal-LaGrange University 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, Hannibal-LaGrange University or Academy of Hair Design-Springfield?
Academy of Hair Design-Springfield: $15,904/yr net price after aid versus $22,814/yr at Hannibal-LaGrange University — a difference of $6,910 a year, or about $27,640 over four years.
Do Hannibal-LaGrange University or Academy of Hair Design-Springfield graduates earn more?
Hannibal-LaGrange University graduates earn a median $42,643 ten years after entry, versus $25,129 at Academy of Hair Design-Springfield — a $17,514 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.