Degree Dividend
Sourced from federal dataEvery figure datedNo rankings for sale

Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design vs Arizona College of Nursing-Aurora: which has better ROI?

Private for-profit, Lakewood CO · vs · Private for-profit, Aurora CO

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design comes closer — median earnings $42,958 against a $129,452 total, vs $34,657 at Arizona College of Nursing-Aurora. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

Share
Head to head
MeasureRocky Mountain College of Art and DesignArizona College of Nursing-Aurora
Net price / yr$32,363$37,153
Total net cost$129,452$148,612
Median earnings, 10 yrs$42,958$34,657
Median debt$31,000$9,500
Payback
20-year net return-$237,492-$422,672

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

Which is cheaper, Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design or Arizona College of Nursing-Aurora?

Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design, at $32,363 a year after aid versus $37,153 — a gap of $4,790 a year, or $19,160 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design or Arizona College of Nursing-Aurora graduates earn more?

Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design graduates report a median $42,958 ten years after entry, $8,301 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, Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design or Arizona College of Nursing-Aurora?

Arizona College of Nursing-Aurora: its completers carry a median $9,500 in federal loans versus $31,000 at Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design, a difference of $21,500. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design vs Arizona College of Nursing-Aurora: frequently asked questions

Is Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design or Arizona College of Nursing-Aurora a better value?
Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design 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, Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design or Arizona College of Nursing-Aurora?
Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design: $32,363/yr net price after aid versus $37,153/yr at Arizona College of Nursing-Aurora — a difference of $4,790 a year, or about $19,160 over four years.
Do Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design or Arizona College of Nursing-Aurora graduates earn more?
Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design graduates earn a median $42,958 ten years after entry, versus $34,657 at Arizona College of Nursing-Aurora — a $8,301 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.