Huston-Tillotson University vs Arlington Career Institute: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Huston-Tillotson University comes closer — median earnings $42,937 against a $78,876 total, vs $36,674 at Arlington Career Institute. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Huston-Tillotson University | Arlington Career Institute |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $19,719 | $24,633 |
| Total net cost | $78,876 | $98,532 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $42,937 | $36,674 |
| Median debt | $30,750 | $8,347 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$187,336 | -$332,252 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Huston-Tillotson University or Arlington Career Institute?
Huston-Tillotson University, at $19,719 a year after aid versus $24,633 — a gap of $4,914 a year, or $19,656 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Huston-Tillotson University or Arlington Career Institute graduates earn more?
Huston-Tillotson University graduates report a median $42,937 ten years after entry, $6,263 more than the $36,674 at Arlington Career Institute. 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, Huston-Tillotson University or Arlington Career Institute?
Arlington Career Institute: its completers carry a median $8,347 in federal loans versus $30,750 at Huston-Tillotson University, a difference of $22,403. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
72% of students finish at Arlington Career Institute, against 34% at Huston-Tillotson 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.