Red Rocks Community College vs Arizona College of Nursing-Aurora: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Red Rocks Community College comes closer — median earnings $46,288 against a $36,176 total, vs $34,657 at Arizona College of Nursing-Aurora. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Red Rocks Community College | Arizona College of Nursing-Aurora |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $9,044 | $37,153 |
| Total net cost | $36,176 | $148,612 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $46,288 | $34,657 |
| Median debt | $9,500 | $9,500 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$77,616 | -$422,672 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Red Rocks Community College or Arizona College of Nursing-Aurora?
Red Rocks Community College, at $9,044 a year after aid versus $37,153 — a gap of $28,109 a year, or $112,436 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Red Rocks Community College or Arizona College of Nursing-Aurora graduates earn more?
Red Rocks Community College graduates report a median $46,288 ten years after entry, $11,631 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, Red Rocks Community College or Arizona College of Nursing-Aurora?
Completers at both borrow a median $9,500, so neither school has the debt advantage. That figure covers federal loans of students who finished — borrowers who leave early are not counted, and private loans sit outside it.