North Idaho College vs Oliver Finley Academy of Cosmetology: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but North Idaho College comes closer — median earnings $40,081 against a $21,150 total, vs $26,323 at Oliver Finley Academy of Cosmetology. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | North Idaho College | Oliver Finley Academy of Cosmetology |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $10,575 | $20,033 |
| Total net cost | $21,150 | $80,132 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $40,081 | $26,323 |
| Median debt | $9,000 | $6,333 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$186,730 | -$520,872 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, North Idaho College or Oliver Finley Academy of Cosmetology?
North Idaho College, at $10,575 a year after aid versus $20,033 — a gap of $9,458 a year, or $58,982 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 Idaho College or Oliver Finley Academy of Cosmetology graduates earn more?
North Idaho College graduates report a median $40,081 ten years after entry, $13,758 more than the $26,323 at Oliver Finley Academy of Cosmetology. 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 Idaho College or Oliver Finley Academy of Cosmetology?
Oliver Finley Academy of Cosmetology: its completers carry a median $6,333 in federal loans versus $9,000 at North Idaho College, a difference of $2,667. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
88% of students finish at Oliver Finley Academy of Cosmetology, against 38% at North Idaho 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.