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Head-to-head comparison

Capella University vs Summit Academy Opportunities Industrialization Center: which has better ROI?

Private for-profit, Minneapolis MN · vs · Private nonprofit, Minneapolis MN

Option A Minneapolis, MN

Capella University

Net price / year
$17,956
Earnings, 10 years
$42,189
Payback
No payback

Option B Minneapolis, MN

Summit Academy Opportunities Industrialization Center

Net price / year
$17,649
Earnings, 10 years
$22,606
Payback
No payback
The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Capella University comes closer — median earnings $42,189 against a $71,824 total, vs $22,606 at Summit Academy Opportunities Industrialization Center. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureCapella UniversitySummit Academy Opportunities Industrialization Center
Net price / yr$17,956$17,649
Total net cost$71,824$70,596
Median earnings, 10 yrs$42,189$22,606
Median debt$14,968—
Payback——
20-year net return-$195,244-$585,676

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

The short answer

Which is cheaper, Capella University or Summit Academy Opportunities Industrialization Center?

Summit Academy Opportunities Industrialization Center, at $17,649 a year after aid versus $17,956 — a gap of $307 a year, or $1,228 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 Capella University or Summit Academy Opportunities Industrialization Center graduates earn more?

Capella University graduates report a median $42,189 ten years after entry, $19,583 more than the $22,606 at Summit Academy Opportunities Industrialization Center. 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 graduates more of its students?

64% of students finish at Summit Academy Opportunities Industrialization Center, against 20% at Capella 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.

Capella University vs Summit Academy Opportunities Industrialization Center: frequently asked questions

Is Capella University or Summit Academy Opportunities Industrialization Center a better value?
Capella University 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, Capella University or Summit Academy Opportunities Industrialization Center?
Summit Academy Opportunities Industrialization Center: $17,649/yr net price after aid versus $17,956/yr at Capella University — a difference of $307 a year, or about $1,228 over four years.
Do Capella University or Summit Academy Opportunities Industrialization Center graduates earn more?
Capella University graduates earn a median $42,189 ten years after entry, versus $22,606 at Summit Academy Opportunities Industrialization Center — a $19,583 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.