Sul Ross State University vs Arlington Career Institute: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Sul Ross State University comes closer — median earnings $41,871 against a $53,144 total, vs $36,674 at Arlington Career Institute. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Sul Ross State University | Arlington Career Institute |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $13,286 | $24,633 |
| Total net cost | $53,144 | $98,532 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $41,871 | $36,674 |
| Median debt | $15,900 | $8,347 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$182,924 | -$332,252 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Sul Ross State University or Arlington Career Institute?
Sul Ross State University, at $13,286 a year after aid versus $24,633 — a gap of $11,347 a year, or $45,388 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Sul Ross State University or Arlington Career Institute graduates earn more?
Sul Ross State University graduates report a median $41,871 ten years after entry, $5,197 more than the $36,674 at Arlington Career Institute. 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, Sul Ross State University or Arlington Career Institute?
Arlington Career Institute: its completers carry a median $8,347 in federal loans versus $15,900 at Sul Ross State University, a difference of $7,553. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
72% of students finish at Arlington Career Institute, against 30% at Sul Ross 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.