Head-to-head comparison
Arizona College of Nursing-Tampa vs ATA Career Education: which has better ROI?
Option A Tampa, FL
Arizona College of Nursing-Tampa
- Net price / year
- $36,680
- Earnings, 10 years
- $34,657
- Payback
- No payback
Option B Spring Hill, FL
ATA Career Education
- Net price / year
- $28,250
- Earnings, 10 years
- $34,577
- Payback
- No payback
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but ATA Career Education comes closer — median earnings $34,577 against a $113,000 total, vs $34,657 at Arizona College of Nursing-Tampa. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Arizona College of Nursing-Tampa | ATA Career Education |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $36,680 | $28,250 |
| Total net cost | $146,720 | $113,000 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $34,657 | $34,577 |
| Median debt | $9,500 | $21,030 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$420,780 | -$388,660 |
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-Tampa or ATA Career Education?
ATA Career Education, at $28,250 a year after aid versus $36,680 — a gap of $8,430 a year, or $33,720 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-Tampa or ATA Career Education graduates earn more?
Arizona College of Nursing-Tampa graduates report a median $34,657 ten years after entry, $80 more than the $34,577 at ATA Career Education. 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-Tampa or ATA Career Education?
Arizona College of Nursing-Tampa: its completers carry a median $9,500 in federal loans versus $21,030 at ATA Career Education, a difference of $11,530. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.