Harris-Stowe State University vs Academy of Hair Design-Springfield: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Harris-Stowe State University comes closer — median earnings $31,088 against a $39,688 total, vs $25,129 at Academy of Hair Design-Springfield. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Harris-Stowe State University | Academy of Hair Design-Springfield |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $9,922 | $15,904 |
| Total net cost | $39,688 | $63,616 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $31,088 | $25,129 |
| Median debt | $25,930 | $9,500 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$385,128 | -$528,236 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Harris-Stowe State University or Academy of Hair Design-Springfield?
Harris-Stowe State University, at $9,922 a year after aid versus $15,904 — a gap of $5,982 a year, or $23,928 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Harris-Stowe State University or Academy of Hair Design-Springfield graduates earn more?
Harris-Stowe State University graduates report a median $31,088 ten years after entry, $5,959 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, Harris-Stowe State University or Academy of Hair Design-Springfield?
Academy of Hair Design-Springfield: its completers carry a median $9,500 in federal loans versus $25,930 at Harris-Stowe State University, a difference of $16,430. 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 28% at Harris-Stowe State 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.