Pikes Peak State College vs Arizona College of Nursing-Aurora: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Pikes Peak State College comes closer — median earnings $40,796 against a $12,014 total, vs $34,657 at Arizona College of Nursing-Aurora. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Pikes Peak State College | Arizona College of Nursing-Aurora |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $6,007 | $37,153 |
| Total net cost | $12,014 | $148,612 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $40,796 | $34,657 |
| Median debt | $9,000 | $9,500 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$163,294 | -$422,672 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Pikes Peak State College or Arizona College of Nursing-Aurora?
Pikes Peak State College, at $6,007 a year after aid versus $37,153 — a gap of $31,146 a year, or $136,598 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Pikes Peak State College or Arizona College of Nursing-Aurora graduates earn more?
Pikes Peak State College graduates report a median $40,796 ten years after entry, $6,139 more than the $34,657 at Arizona College of Nursing-Aurora. 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, Pikes Peak State College or Arizona College of Nursing-Aurora?
Pikes Peak State College: its completers carry a median $9,000 in federal loans versus $9,500 at Arizona College of Nursing-Aurora, a difference of $500. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.