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Southwestern Michigan College vs Arizona College of Nursing-Southfield: which has better ROI?

Public, Dowagiac MI · vs · Private for-profit, Southfield MI

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Southwestern Michigan College comes closer — median earnings $37,303 against a $11,956 total, vs $34,657 at Arizona College of Nursing-Southfield. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureSouthwestern Michigan CollegeArizona College of Nursing-Southfield
Net price / yr$5,978$38,786
Total net cost$11,956$155,144
Median earnings, 10 yrs$37,303$34,657
Median debt$10,959$9,500
Payback
20-year net return-$233,096-$429,204

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

Which is cheaper, Southwestern Michigan College or Arizona College of Nursing-Southfield?

Southwestern Michigan College, at $5,978 a year after aid versus $38,786 — a gap of $32,808 a year, or $143,188 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Southwestern Michigan College or Arizona College of Nursing-Southfield graduates earn more?

Southwestern Michigan College graduates report a median $37,303 ten years after entry, $2,646 more than the $34,657 at Arizona College of Nursing-Southfield. 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, Southwestern Michigan College or Arizona College of Nursing-Southfield?

Arizona College of Nursing-Southfield: its completers carry a median $9,500 in federal loans versus $10,959 at Southwestern Michigan College, a difference of $1,459. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Southwestern Michigan College vs Arizona College of Nursing-Southfield: frequently asked questions

Is Southwestern Michigan College or Arizona College of Nursing-Southfield a better value?
Southwestern Michigan College 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, Southwestern Michigan College or Arizona College of Nursing-Southfield?
Southwestern Michigan College: $5,978/yr net price after aid versus $38,786/yr at Arizona College of Nursing-Southfield — a difference of $32,808 a year, or about $143,188 over four years.
Do Southwestern Michigan College or Arizona College of Nursing-Southfield graduates earn more?
Southwestern Michigan College graduates earn a median $37,303 ten years after entry, versus $34,657 at Arizona College of Nursing-Southfield — a $2,646 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.