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Wiley University vs Arlington Career Institute: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Marshall TX · vs · Private for-profit, Arlington TX

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Arlington Career Institute comes closer — median earnings $36,674 against a $98,532 total, vs $33,159 at Wiley University. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureWiley UniversityArlington Career Institute
Net price / yr$7,092$24,633
Total net cost$28,368$98,532
Median earnings, 10 yrs$33,159$36,674
Median debt$24,989$8,347
Payback
20-year net return-$332,388-$332,252

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

Which is cheaper, Wiley University or Arlington Career Institute?

Wiley University, at $7,092 a year after aid versus $24,633 — a gap of $17,541 a year, or $70,164 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Wiley University or Arlington Career Institute graduates earn more?

Arlington Career Institute graduates report a median $36,674 ten years after entry, $3,515 more than the $33,159 at Wiley University. 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, Wiley University or Arlington Career Institute?

Arlington Career Institute: its completers carry a median $8,347 in federal loans versus $24,989 at Wiley University, a difference of $16,642. 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 24% at Wiley 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.

Wiley University vs Arlington Career Institute: frequently asked questions

Is Wiley University or Arlington Career Institute a better value?
Arlington Career Institute 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, Wiley University or Arlington Career Institute?
Wiley University: $7,092/yr net price after aid versus $24,633/yr at Arlington Career Institute — a difference of $17,541 a year, or about $70,164 over four years.
Do Wiley University or Arlington Career Institute graduates earn more?
Arlington Career Institute graduates earn a median $36,674 ten years after entry, versus $33,159 at Wiley University — a $3,515 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.