Degree Dividend
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Victoria College vs Arlington Career Institute: which has better ROI?

Public, Victoria TX · vs · Private for-profit, Arlington TX

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Victoria College comes closer — median earnings $42,382 against a $6,086 total, vs $36,674 at Arlington Career Institute. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureVictoria CollegeArlington Career Institute
Net price / yr$3,043$24,633
Total net cost$6,086$98,532
Median earnings, 10 yrs$42,382$36,674
Median debt$10,500$8,347
Payback
20-year net return-$125,646-$332,252

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

Which is cheaper, Victoria College or Arlington Career Institute?

Victoria College, at $3,043 a year after aid versus $24,633 — a gap of $21,590 a year, or $92,446 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Victoria College or Arlington Career Institute graduates earn more?

Victoria College graduates report a median $42,382 ten years after entry, $5,708 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, Victoria College or Arlington Career Institute?

Arlington Career Institute: its completers carry a median $8,347 in federal loans versus $10,500 at Victoria College, a difference of $2,153. 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 29% at Victoria 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.

Victoria College vs Arlington Career Institute: frequently asked questions

Is Victoria College or Arlington Career Institute a better value?
Victoria 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, Victoria College or Arlington Career Institute?
Victoria College: $3,043/yr net price after aid versus $24,633/yr at Arlington Career Institute — a difference of $21,590 a year, or about $92,446 over four years.
Do Victoria College or Arlington Career Institute graduates earn more?
Victoria College graduates earn a median $42,382 ten years after entry, versus $36,674 at Arlington Career Institute — a $5,708 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.