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Jefferson College vs Academy of Hair Design-Springfield: which has better ROI?

Public, Hillsboro MO · vs · Private for-profit, Springfield MO

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Jefferson College comes closer — median earnings $40,782 against a $14,756 total, vs $25,129 at Academy of Hair Design-Springfield. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureJefferson CollegeAcademy of Hair Design-Springfield
Net price / yr$7,378$15,904
Total net cost$14,756$63,616
Median earnings, 10 yrs$40,782$25,129
Median debt$9,285$9,500
Payback
20-year net return-$166,316-$528,236

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

Which is cheaper, Jefferson College or Academy of Hair Design-Springfield?

Jefferson College, at $7,378 a year after aid versus $15,904 — a gap of $8,526 a year, or $48,860 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Jefferson College or Academy of Hair Design-Springfield graduates earn more?

Jefferson College graduates report a median $40,782 ten years after entry, $15,653 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, Jefferson College or Academy of Hair Design-Springfield?

Jefferson College: its completers carry a median $9,285 in federal loans versus $9,500 at Academy of Hair Design-Springfield, a difference of $215. 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 38% at Jefferson 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.

Jefferson College vs Academy of Hair Design-Springfield: frequently asked questions

Is Jefferson College or Academy of Hair Design-Springfield a better value?
Jefferson 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, Jefferson College or Academy of Hair Design-Springfield?
Jefferson College: $7,378/yr net price after aid versus $15,904/yr at Academy of Hair Design-Springfield — a difference of $8,526 a year, or about $48,860 over four years.
Do Jefferson College or Academy of Hair Design-Springfield graduates earn more?
Jefferson College graduates earn a median $40,782 ten years after entry, versus $25,129 at Academy of Hair Design-Springfield — a $15,653 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.