University of Arizona vs Chandler-Gilbert Community College: which has better ROI?
University of Arizona has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $66,696 in 5.7 years versus 18.5 years at Chandler-Gilbert Community College, on median earnings of $59,979 vs $51,111 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Arizona | Chandler-Gilbert Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $16,674 | $12,726 |
| Total net cost | $66,696 | $50,904 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $59,979 | $51,111 |
| Median debt | $19,620 | $7,000 |
| Payback | 5.7 yrs | 18.5 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $165,684 | $4,116 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of Arizona or Chandler-Gilbert Community College?
Chandler-Gilbert Community College, at $12,726 a year after aid versus $16,674 — a gap of $3,948 a year, or $15,792 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do University of Arizona or Chandler-Gilbert Community College graduates earn more?
University of Arizona graduates report a median $59,979 ten years after entry, $8,868 more than the $51,111 at Chandler-Gilbert Community College. 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, University of Arizona or Chandler-Gilbert Community College?
Chandler-Gilbert Community College: its completers carry a median $7,000 in federal loans versus $19,620 at University of Arizona, a difference of $12,620. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
68% of students finish at University of Arizona, against 30% at Chandler-Gilbert Community College. 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.