Head-to-head comparison
American InterContinental University System vs Southwest Institute of Healing Arts: which has better ROI?
Option A Chandler, AZ
American InterContinental University System
- Net price / year
- $15,172
- Earnings, 10 years
- $36,144
- Payback
- No payback
Option B Tempe, AZ
Southwest Institute of Healing Arts
- Net price / year
- $43,883
- Earnings, 10 years
- $29,544
- Payback
- No payback
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but American InterContinental University System comes closer — median earnings $36,144 against a $60,688 total, vs $29,544 at Southwest Institute of Healing Arts. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | American InterContinental University System | Southwest Institute of Healing Arts |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $15,172 | $43,883 |
| Total net cost | $60,688 | $175,532 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $36,144 | $29,544 |
| Median debt | $31,000 | $9,500 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$305,008 | -$551,852 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, American InterContinental University System or Southwest Institute of Healing Arts?
American InterContinental University System, at $15,172 a year after aid versus $43,883 — a gap of $28,711 a year, or $114,844 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
The short answer
Do American InterContinental University System or Southwest Institute of Healing Arts graduates earn more?
American InterContinental University System graduates report a median $36,144 ten years after entry, $6,600 more than the $29,544 at Southwest Institute of Healing Arts. 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.
The short answer
Which leaves students with less debt, American InterContinental University System or Southwest Institute of Healing Arts?
Southwest Institute of Healing Arts: its completers carry a median $9,500 in federal loans versus $31,000 at American InterContinental University System, a difference of $21,500. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
The short answer
Which graduates more of its students?
67% of students finish at Southwest Institute of Healing Arts, against 9% at American InterContinental University System. 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.