Degree Dividend
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Navajo Technical University vs Carrington College-Albuquerque: which has better ROI?

Public, Crownpoint NM · vs · Private for-profit, Albuquerque NM

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Carrington College-Albuquerque comes closer — median earnings $36,718 against a $196,120 total, vs $26,364 at Navajo Technical University. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureNavajo Technical UniversityCarrington College-Albuquerque
Net price / yr$5,338$49,030
Total net cost$21,352$196,120
Median earnings, 10 yrs$26,364$36,718
Median debt$9,500
Payback
20-year net return-$461,272-$428,960

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

Which is cheaper, Navajo Technical University or Carrington College-Albuquerque?

Navajo Technical University, at $5,338 a year after aid versus $49,030 — a gap of $43,692 a year, or $174,768 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Navajo Technical University or Carrington College-Albuquerque graduates earn more?

Carrington College-Albuquerque graduates report a median $36,718 ten years after entry, $10,354 more than the $26,364 at Navajo Technical University. 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 graduates more of its students?

65% of students finish at Carrington College-Albuquerque, against 12% at Navajo Technical 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.

Navajo Technical University vs Carrington College-Albuquerque: frequently asked questions

Is Navajo Technical University or Carrington College-Albuquerque a better value?
Carrington College-Albuquerque 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, Navajo Technical University or Carrington College-Albuquerque?
Navajo Technical University: $5,338/yr net price after aid versus $49,030/yr at Carrington College-Albuquerque — a difference of $43,692 a year, or about $174,768 over four years.
Do Navajo Technical University or Carrington College-Albuquerque graduates earn more?
Carrington College-Albuquerque graduates earn a median $36,718 ten years after entry, versus $26,364 at Navajo Technical University — a $10,354 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.