Head-to-head comparison
Arizona College of Nursing-Tucson vs Penrose Academy: which has better ROI?
Option A Tucson, AZ
Arizona College of Nursing-Tucson
- Net price / year
- $37,136
- Earnings, 10 years
- $34,657
- Payback
- No payback
Option B Scottsdale, AZ
Penrose Academy
- Net price / year
- $22,586
- Earnings, 10 years
- $35,839
- Payback
- No payback
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Penrose Academy comes closer — median earnings $35,839 against a $90,344 total, vs $34,657 at Arizona College of Nursing-Tucson. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Arizona College of Nursing-Tucson | Penrose Academy |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $37,136 | $22,586 |
| Total net cost | $148,544 | $90,344 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $34,657 | $35,839 |
| Median debt | $9,500 | $6,333 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$422,604 | -$340,764 |
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-Tucson or Penrose Academy?
Penrose Academy, at $22,586 a year after aid versus $37,136 — a gap of $14,550 a year, or $58,200 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-Tucson or Penrose Academy graduates earn more?
Penrose Academy graduates report a median $35,839 ten years after entry, $1,182 more than the $34,657 at Arizona College of Nursing-Tucson. 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-Tucson or Penrose Academy?
Penrose Academy: its completers carry a median $6,333 in federal loans versus $9,500 at Arizona College of Nursing-Tucson, a difference of $3,167. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.