Degree Dividend
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Lamar Community College vs Arizona College of Nursing-Aurora: which has better ROI?

Public, Lamar CO · vs · Private for-profit, Aurora CO

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Lamar Community College comes closer — median earnings $38,719 against a $18,322 total, vs $34,657 at Arizona College of Nursing-Aurora. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureLamar Community CollegeArizona College of Nursing-Aurora
Net price / yr$9,161$37,153
Total net cost$18,322$148,612
Median earnings, 10 yrs$38,719$34,657
Median debt$8,750$9,500
Payback
20-year net return-$211,142-$422,672

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

Which is cheaper, Lamar Community College or Arizona College of Nursing-Aurora?

Lamar Community College, at $9,161 a year after aid versus $37,153 — a gap of $27,992 a year, or $130,290 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Lamar Community College or Arizona College of Nursing-Aurora graduates earn more?

Lamar Community College graduates report a median $38,719 ten years after entry, $4,062 more than the $34,657 at Arizona College of Nursing-Aurora. 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, Lamar Community College or Arizona College of Nursing-Aurora?

Lamar Community College: its completers carry a median $8,750 in federal loans versus $9,500 at Arizona College of Nursing-Aurora, a difference of $750. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Lamar Community College vs Arizona College of Nursing-Aurora: frequently asked questions

Is Lamar Community College or Arizona College of Nursing-Aurora a better value?
Lamar Community 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, Lamar Community College or Arizona College of Nursing-Aurora?
Lamar Community College: $9,161/yr net price after aid versus $37,153/yr at Arizona College of Nursing-Aurora — a difference of $27,992 a year, or about $130,290 over four years.
Do Lamar Community College or Arizona College of Nursing-Aurora graduates earn more?
Lamar Community College graduates earn a median $38,719 ten years after entry, versus $34,657 at Arizona College of Nursing-Aurora — a $4,062 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.