Degree Dividend
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South University-Tampa vs Artistic Nails and Beauty Academy-Tampa: which has better ROI?

Private for-profit, Tampa FL · vs · Private for-profit, Tampa FL

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but South University-Tampa comes closer — median earnings $34,421 against a $81,736 total, vs $20,948 at Artistic Nails and Beauty Academy-Tampa. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureSouth University-TampaArtistic Nails and Beauty Academy-Tampa
Net price / yr$20,434$14,277
Total net cost$81,736$57,108
Median earnings, 10 yrs$34,421$20,948
Median debt$26,123$6,333
Payback
20-year net return-$360,516-$605,348

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

Which is cheaper, South University-Tampa or Artistic Nails and Beauty Academy-Tampa?

Artistic Nails and Beauty Academy-Tampa, at $14,277 a year after aid versus $20,434 — a gap of $6,157 a year, or $24,628 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do South University-Tampa or Artistic Nails and Beauty Academy-Tampa graduates earn more?

South University-Tampa graduates report a median $34,421 ten years after entry, $13,473 more than the $20,948 at Artistic Nails and Beauty Academy-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, South University-Tampa or Artistic Nails and Beauty Academy-Tampa?

Artistic Nails and Beauty Academy-Tampa: its completers carry a median $6,333 in federal loans versus $26,123 at South University-Tampa, a difference of $19,790. 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 Artistic Nails and Beauty Academy-Tampa, against 23% at South University-Tampa. 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.

South University-Tampa vs Artistic Nails and Beauty Academy-Tampa: frequently asked questions

Is South University-Tampa or Artistic Nails and Beauty Academy-Tampa a better value?
South University-Tampa 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, South University-Tampa or Artistic Nails and Beauty Academy-Tampa?
Artistic Nails and Beauty Academy-Tampa: $14,277/yr net price after aid versus $20,434/yr at South University-Tampa — a difference of $6,157 a year, or about $24,628 over four years.
Do South University-Tampa or Artistic Nails and Beauty Academy-Tampa graduates earn more?
South University-Tampa graduates earn a median $34,421 ten years after entry, versus $20,948 at Artistic Nails and Beauty Academy-Tampa — a $13,473 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.