Vernon College vs Arlington Career Institute: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Vernon College comes closer — median earnings $40,464 against a $12,808 total, vs $36,674 at Arlington Career Institute. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Vernon College | Arlington Career Institute |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $6,404 | $24,633 |
| Total net cost | $12,808 | $98,532 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $40,464 | $36,674 |
| Median debt | $11,000 | $8,347 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$170,728 | -$332,252 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Vernon College or Arlington Career Institute?
Vernon College, at $6,404 a year after aid versus $24,633 — a gap of $18,229 a year, or $85,724 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Vernon College or Arlington Career Institute graduates earn more?
Vernon College graduates report a median $40,464 ten years after entry, $3,790 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, Vernon College or Arlington Career Institute?
Arlington Career Institute: its completers carry a median $8,347 in federal loans versus $11,000 at Vernon College, a difference of $2,653. 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 21% at Vernon 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.