Degree Dividend
Sourced from federal dataEvery figure datedNo rankings for sale

Oakland Community College vs Arizona College of Nursing-Southfield: which has better ROI?

Public, Auburn Hills MI · vs · Private for-profit, Southfield MI

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Oakland Community College comes closer — median earnings $37,395 against a $11,554 total, vs $34,657 at Arizona College of Nursing-Southfield. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

Share
Head to head
MeasureOakland Community CollegeArizona College of Nursing-Southfield
Net price / yr$5,777$38,786
Total net cost$11,554$155,144
Median earnings, 10 yrs$37,395$34,657
Median debt$9,105$9,500
Payback
20-year net return-$230,854-$429,204

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

Which is cheaper, Oakland Community College or Arizona College of Nursing-Southfield?

Oakland Community College, at $5,777 a year after aid versus $38,786 — a gap of $33,009 a year, or $143,590 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Oakland Community College or Arizona College of Nursing-Southfield graduates earn more?

Oakland Community College graduates report a median $37,395 ten years after entry, $2,738 more than the $34,657 at Arizona College of Nursing-Southfield. 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, Oakland Community College or Arizona College of Nursing-Southfield?

Oakland Community College: its completers carry a median $9,105 in federal loans versus $9,500 at Arizona College of Nursing-Southfield, a difference of $395. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Oakland Community College vs Arizona College of Nursing-Southfield: frequently asked questions

Is Oakland Community College or Arizona College of Nursing-Southfield a better value?
Oakland Community 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, Oakland Community College or Arizona College of Nursing-Southfield?
Oakland Community College: $5,777/yr net price after aid versus $38,786/yr at Arizona College of Nursing-Southfield — a difference of $33,009 a year, or about $143,590 over four years.
Do Oakland Community College or Arizona College of Nursing-Southfield graduates earn more?
Oakland Community College graduates earn a median $37,395 ten years after entry, versus $34,657 at Arizona College of Nursing-Southfield — a $2,738 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.