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Milan Institute of Cosmetology-El Paso vs Arlington Baptist University: which has better ROI?

Private for-profit, El Paso TX · vs · Private nonprofit, Arlington TX

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Arlington Baptist University comes closer — median earnings $44,644 against a $99,624 total, vs $22,378 at Milan Institute of Cosmetology-El Paso. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureMilan Institute of Cosmetology-El PasoArlington Baptist University
Net price / yr$26,656$24,906
Total net cost$106,624$99,624
Median earnings, 10 yrs$22,378$44,644
Median debt$6,333$27,000
Payback
20-year net return-$626,264-$173,944

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

Which is cheaper, Milan Institute of Cosmetology-El Paso or Arlington Baptist University?

Arlington Baptist University, at $24,906 a year after aid versus $26,656 — a gap of $1,750 a year, or $7,000 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Milan Institute of Cosmetology-El Paso or Arlington Baptist University graduates earn more?

Arlington Baptist University graduates report a median $44,644 ten years after entry, $22,266 more than the $22,378 at Milan Institute of Cosmetology-El Paso. 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, Milan Institute of Cosmetology-El Paso or Arlington Baptist University?

Milan Institute of Cosmetology-El Paso: its completers carry a median $6,333 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Arlington Baptist University, a difference of $20,667. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

54% of students finish at Milan Institute of Cosmetology-El Paso, against 19% at Arlington Baptist 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.

Milan Institute of Cosmetology-El Paso vs Arlington Baptist University: frequently asked questions

Is Milan Institute of Cosmetology-El Paso or Arlington Baptist University a better value?
Arlington Baptist University 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, Milan Institute of Cosmetology-El Paso or Arlington Baptist University?
Arlington Baptist University: $24,906/yr net price after aid versus $26,656/yr at Milan Institute of Cosmetology-El Paso — a difference of $1,750 a year, or about $7,000 over four years.
Do Milan Institute of Cosmetology-El Paso or Arlington Baptist University graduates earn more?
Arlington Baptist University graduates earn a median $44,644 ten years after entry, versus $22,378 at Milan Institute of Cosmetology-El Paso — a $22,266 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.