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Southeast Missouri State University vs Academy of Hair Design-Springfield: which has better ROI?

Public, Cape Girardeau MO · vs · Private for-profit, Springfield MO

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Southeast Missouri State University comes closer — median earnings $44,030 against a $63,528 total, vs $25,129 at Academy of Hair Design-Springfield. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureSoutheast Missouri State UniversityAcademy of Hair Design-Springfield
Net price / yr$15,882$15,904
Total net cost$63,528$63,616
Median earnings, 10 yrs$44,030$25,129
Median debt$21,500$9,500
Payback
20-year net return-$150,128-$528,236

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

Which is cheaper, Southeast Missouri State University or Academy of Hair Design-Springfield?

Southeast Missouri State University, at $15,882 a year after aid versus $15,904 — a gap of $22 a year, or $88 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Southeast Missouri State University or Academy of Hair Design-Springfield graduates earn more?

Southeast Missouri State University graduates report a median $44,030 ten years after entry, $18,901 more than the $25,129 at Academy of Hair Design-Springfield. 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, Southeast Missouri State University or Academy of Hair Design-Springfield?

Academy of Hair Design-Springfield: its completers carry a median $9,500 in federal loans versus $21,500 at Southeast Missouri State University, a difference of $12,000. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

64% of students finish at Academy of Hair Design-Springfield, against 58% at Southeast Missouri State University. 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.

Southeast Missouri State University vs Academy of Hair Design-Springfield: frequently asked questions

Is Southeast Missouri State University or Academy of Hair Design-Springfield a better value?
Southeast Missouri State University 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, Southeast Missouri State University or Academy of Hair Design-Springfield?
Southeast Missouri State University: $15,882/yr net price after aid versus $15,904/yr at Academy of Hair Design-Springfield — a difference of $22 a year, or about $88 over four years.
Do Southeast Missouri State University or Academy of Hair Design-Springfield graduates earn more?
Southeast Missouri State University graduates earn a median $44,030 ten years after entry, versus $25,129 at Academy of Hair Design-Springfield — a $18,901 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.