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Missouri Southern State University vs Academy of Hair Design-Springfield: which has better ROI?

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

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Missouri Southern State University comes closer — median earnings $42,620 against a $48,028 total, vs $25,129 at Academy of Hair Design-Springfield. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureMissouri Southern State UniversityAcademy of Hair Design-Springfield
Net price / yr$12,007$15,904
Total net cost$48,028$63,616
Median earnings, 10 yrs$42,620$25,129
Median debt$19,174$9,500
Payback
20-year net return-$162,828-$528,236

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

Which is cheaper, Missouri Southern State University or Academy of Hair Design-Springfield?

Missouri Southern State University, at $12,007 a year after aid versus $15,904 — a gap of $3,897 a year, or $15,588 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Missouri Southern State University or Academy of Hair Design-Springfield graduates earn more?

Missouri Southern State University graduates report a median $42,620 ten years after entry, $17,491 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, Missouri Southern State University or Academy of Hair Design-Springfield?

Academy of Hair Design-Springfield: its completers carry a median $9,500 in federal loans versus $19,174 at Missouri Southern State University, a difference of $9,674. 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 42% at Missouri Southern State 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.

Missouri Southern State University vs Academy of Hair Design-Springfield: frequently asked questions

Is Missouri Southern State University or Academy of Hair Design-Springfield a better value?
Missouri Southern State 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, Missouri Southern State University or Academy of Hair Design-Springfield?
Missouri Southern State University: $12,007/yr net price after aid versus $15,904/yr at Academy of Hair Design-Springfield — a difference of $3,897 a year, or about $15,588 over four years.
Do Missouri Southern State University or Academy of Hair Design-Springfield graduates earn more?
Missouri Southern State University graduates earn a median $42,620 ten years after entry, versus $25,129 at Academy of Hair Design-Springfield — a $17,491 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.