Pima Medical Institute-Mesa vs Alturas Cosmetology of Arizona LLC: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Pima Medical Institute-Mesa comes closer — median earnings $38,673 against a $42,922 total, vs $27,201 at Alturas Cosmetology of Arizona LLC. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Pima Medical Institute-Mesa | Alturas Cosmetology of Arizona LLC |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $21,461 | $13,257 |
| Total net cost | $42,922 | $53,028 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $38,673 | $27,201 |
| Median debt | $9,500 | $6,221 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$236,662 | -$476,208 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Pima Medical Institute-Mesa or Alturas Cosmetology of Arizona LLC?
Alturas Cosmetology of Arizona LLC, at $13,257 a year after aid versus $21,461 — a gap of $8,204 a year, or $10,106 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Pima Medical Institute-Mesa or Alturas Cosmetology of Arizona LLC graduates earn more?
Pima Medical Institute-Mesa graduates report a median $38,673 ten years after entry, $11,472 more than the $27,201 at Alturas Cosmetology of Arizona LLC. 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, Pima Medical Institute-Mesa or Alturas Cosmetology of Arizona LLC?
Alturas Cosmetology of Arizona LLC: its completers carry a median $6,221 in federal loans versus $9,500 at Pima Medical Institute-Mesa, a difference of $3,279. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
77% of students finish at Alturas Cosmetology of Arizona LLC, against 67% at Pima Medical Institute-Mesa. 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.