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Mission University vs Academy of Hair Design-Springfield: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Springfield MO · vs · Private for-profit, Springfield MO

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Mission University comes closer — median earnings $38,641 against a $85,532 total, vs $25,129 at Academy of Hair Design-Springfield. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureMission UniversityAcademy of Hair Design-Springfield
Net price / yr$21,383$15,904
Total net cost$85,532$63,616
Median earnings, 10 yrs$38,641$25,129
Median debt$26,168$9,500
Payback
20-year net return-$279,912-$528,236

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

Which is cheaper, Mission University or Academy of Hair Design-Springfield?

Academy of Hair Design-Springfield, at $15,904 a year after aid versus $21,383 — a gap of $5,479 a year, or $21,916 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Mission University or Academy of Hair Design-Springfield graduates earn more?

Mission University graduates report a median $38,641 ten years after entry, $13,512 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, Mission University or Academy of Hair Design-Springfield?

Academy of Hair Design-Springfield: its completers carry a median $9,500 in federal loans versus $26,168 at Mission University, a difference of $16,668. 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 44% at Mission 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.

Mission University vs Academy of Hair Design-Springfield: frequently asked questions

Is Mission University or Academy of Hair Design-Springfield a better value?
Mission 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, Mission University or Academy of Hair Design-Springfield?
Academy of Hair Design-Springfield: $15,904/yr net price after aid versus $21,383/yr at Mission University — a difference of $5,479 a year, or about $21,916 over four years.
Do Mission University or Academy of Hair Design-Springfield graduates earn more?
Mission University graduates earn a median $38,641 ten years after entry, versus $25,129 at Academy of Hair Design-Springfield — a $13,512 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.