University of Phoenix-Arizona vs Paradise Valley Community College: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Paradise Valley Community College comes closer — median earnings $47,196 against a $48,720 total, vs $37,752 at University of Phoenix-Arizona. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Phoenix-Arizona | Paradise Valley Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $13,520 | $12,180 |
| Total net cost | $54,080 | $48,720 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $37,752 | $47,196 |
| Median debt | $31,553 | $6,995 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$266,240 | -$72,000 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of Phoenix-Arizona or Paradise Valley Community College?
Paradise Valley Community College, at $12,180 a year after aid versus $13,520 — a gap of $1,340 a year, or $5,360 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 Phoenix-Arizona or Paradise Valley Community College graduates earn more?
Paradise Valley Community College graduates report a median $47,196 ten years after entry, $9,444 more than the $37,752 at University of Phoenix-Arizona. 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 Phoenix-Arizona or Paradise Valley Community College?
Paradise Valley Community College: its completers carry a median $6,995 in federal loans versus $31,553 at University of Phoenix-Arizona, a difference of $24,558. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
21% of students finish at University of Phoenix-Arizona, against 19% at Paradise Valley 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.