Head-to-head comparison
Arizona College of Nursing-Aurora vs International Salon and Spa Academy: which has better ROI?
Option A Aurora, CO
Arizona College of Nursing-Aurora
- Net price / year
- $37,153
- Earnings, 10 years
- $34,657
- Payback
- No payback
Option B Colorado Springs, CO
International Salon and Spa Academy
- Net price / year
- $20,725
- Earnings, 10 years
- $22,332
- Payback
- No payback
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Arizona College of Nursing-Aurora comes closer — median earnings $34,657 against a $148,612 total, vs $22,332 at International Salon and Spa Academy. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Arizona College of Nursing-Aurora | International Salon and Spa Academy |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $37,153 | $20,725 |
| Total net cost | $148,612 | $82,900 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $34,657 | $22,332 |
| Median debt | $9,500 | $6,333 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$422,672 | -$603,460 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, Arizona College of Nursing-Aurora or International Salon and Spa Academy?
International Salon and Spa Academy, at $20,725 a year after aid versus $37,153 — a gap of $16,428 a year, or $65,712 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 Arizona College of Nursing-Aurora or International Salon and Spa Academy graduates earn more?
Arizona College of Nursing-Aurora graduates report a median $34,657 ten years after entry, $12,325 more than the $22,332 at International Salon and Spa Academy. 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, Arizona College of Nursing-Aurora or International Salon and Spa Academy?
International Salon and Spa Academy: its completers carry a median $6,333 in federal loans versus $9,500 at Arizona College of Nursing-Aurora, a difference of $3,167. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.