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Paul Mitchell the School-Springfield vs Academy of Hair Design-Springfield: which has better ROI?

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

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Paul Mitchell the School-Springfield comes closer — median earnings $25,931 against a $67,704 total, vs $25,129 at Academy of Hair Design-Springfield. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasurePaul Mitchell the School-SpringfieldAcademy of Hair Design-Springfield
Net price / yr$16,926$15,904
Total net cost$67,704$63,616
Median earnings, 10 yrs$25,931$25,129
Median debt$7,917$9,500
Payback
20-year net return-$516,284-$528,236

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

Which is cheaper, Paul Mitchell the School-Springfield or Academy of Hair Design-Springfield?

Academy of Hair Design-Springfield, at $15,904 a year after aid versus $16,926 — a gap of $1,022 a year, or $4,088 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Paul Mitchell the School-Springfield or Academy of Hair Design-Springfield graduates earn more?

Paul Mitchell the School-Springfield graduates report a median $25,931 ten years after entry, $802 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, Paul Mitchell the School-Springfield or Academy of Hair Design-Springfield?

Paul Mitchell the School-Springfield: its completers carry a median $7,917 in federal loans versus $9,500 at Academy of Hair Design-Springfield, a difference of $1,583. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

80% of students finish at Paul Mitchell the School-Springfield, against 64% at Academy of Hair Design-Springfield. 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.

Paul Mitchell the School-Springfield vs Academy of Hair Design-Springfield: frequently asked questions

Is Paul Mitchell the School-Springfield or Academy of Hair Design-Springfield a better value?
Paul Mitchell the School-Springfield 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, Paul Mitchell the School-Springfield or Academy of Hair Design-Springfield?
Academy of Hair Design-Springfield: $15,904/yr net price after aid versus $16,926/yr at Paul Mitchell the School-Springfield — a difference of $1,022 a year, or about $4,088 over four years.
Do Paul Mitchell the School-Springfield or Academy of Hair Design-Springfield graduates earn more?
Paul Mitchell the School-Springfield graduates earn a median $25,931 ten years after entry, versus $25,129 at Academy of Hair Design-Springfield — a $802 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.