Mesa Community College vs Alturas Cosmetology of Arizona LLC: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Mesa Community College comes closer — median earnings $44,034 against a $48,528 total, vs $27,201 at Alturas Cosmetology of Arizona LLC. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Mesa Community College | Alturas Cosmetology of Arizona LLC |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $12,132 | $13,257 |
| Total net cost | $48,528 | $53,028 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $44,034 | $27,201 |
| Median debt | $7,473 | $6,221 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$135,048 | -$476,208 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Mesa Community College or Alturas Cosmetology of Arizona LLC?
Mesa Community College, at $12,132 a year after aid versus $13,257 — a gap of $1,125 a year, or $4,500 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Mesa Community College or Alturas Cosmetology of Arizona LLC graduates earn more?
Mesa Community College graduates report a median $44,034 ten years after entry, $16,833 more than the $27,201 at Alturas Cosmetology of Arizona LLC. 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, Mesa Community College or Alturas Cosmetology of Arizona LLC?
Alturas Cosmetology of Arizona LLC: its completers carry a median $6,221 in federal loans versus $7,473 at Mesa Community College, a difference of $1,252. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
77% of students finish at Alturas Cosmetology of Arizona LLC, against 16% at Mesa Community 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.