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North Central Missouri College vs Academy of Hair Design-Springfield: which has better ROI?

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

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but North Central Missouri College comes closer — median earnings $40,837 against a $27,252 total, vs $25,129 at Academy of Hair Design-Springfield. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureNorth Central Missouri CollegeAcademy of Hair Design-Springfield
Net price / yr$13,626$15,904
Total net cost$27,252$63,616
Median earnings, 10 yrs$40,837$25,129
Median debt$10,500$9,500
Payback
20-year net return-$177,712-$528,236

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

Which is cheaper, North Central Missouri College or Academy of Hair Design-Springfield?

North Central Missouri College, at $13,626 a year after aid versus $15,904 — a gap of $2,278 a year, or $36,364 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do North Central Missouri College or Academy of Hair Design-Springfield graduates earn more?

North Central Missouri College graduates report a median $40,837 ten years after entry, $15,708 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, North Central Missouri College or Academy of Hair Design-Springfield?

Academy of Hair Design-Springfield: its completers carry a median $9,500 in federal loans versus $10,500 at North Central Missouri College, a difference of $1,000. 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 58% at North Central Missouri 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.

North Central Missouri College vs Academy of Hair Design-Springfield: frequently asked questions

Is North Central Missouri College or Academy of Hair Design-Springfield a better value?
North Central Missouri College 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, North Central Missouri College or Academy of Hair Design-Springfield?
North Central Missouri College: $13,626/yr net price after aid versus $15,904/yr at Academy of Hair Design-Springfield — a difference of $2,278 a year, or about $36,364 over four years.
Do North Central Missouri College or Academy of Hair Design-Springfield graduates earn more?
North Central Missouri College graduates earn a median $40,837 ten years after entry, versus $25,129 at Academy of Hair Design-Springfield — a $15,708 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.