Polk State College vs Arizona College of Nursing-Tampa: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Polk State College comes closer — median earnings $40,624 against a $18,854 total, vs $34,657 at Arizona College of Nursing-Tampa. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Polk State College | Arizona College of Nursing-Tampa |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $9,427 | $36,680 |
| Total net cost | $18,854 | $146,720 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $40,624 | $34,657 |
| Median debt | $10,076 | $9,500 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$173,574 | -$420,780 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Polk State College or Arizona College of Nursing-Tampa?
Polk State College, at $9,427 a year after aid versus $36,680 — a gap of $27,253 a year, or $127,866 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Polk State College or Arizona College of Nursing-Tampa graduates earn more?
Polk State College graduates report a median $40,624 ten years after entry, $5,967 more than the $34,657 at Arizona College of Nursing-Tampa. 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, Polk State College or Arizona College of Nursing-Tampa?
Arizona College of Nursing-Tampa: its completers carry a median $9,500 in federal loans versus $10,076 at Polk State College, a difference of $576. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.