Head-to-head comparison
Nelson University vs Arizona College of Nursing-Dallas: which has better ROI?
Option A Waxahachie, TX
Nelson University
- Net price / year
- $21,662
- Earnings, 10 years
- $46,238
- Payback
- No payback
Option B Dallas, TX
Arizona College of Nursing-Dallas
- Net price / year
- $38,488
- Earnings, 10 years
- $34,657
- Payback
- No payback
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Nelson University comes closer — median earnings $46,238 against a $86,648 total, vs $34,657 at Arizona College of Nursing-Dallas. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Nelson University | Arizona College of Nursing-Dallas |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $21,662 | $38,488 |
| Total net cost | $86,648 | $153,952 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $46,238 | $34,657 |
| Median debt | $24,725 | $9,500 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$129,088 | -$428,012 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, Nelson University or Arizona College of Nursing-Dallas?
Nelson University, at $21,662 a year after aid versus $38,488 — a gap of $16,826 a year, or $67,304 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 Nelson University or Arizona College of Nursing-Dallas graduates earn more?
Nelson University graduates report a median $46,238 ten years after entry, $11,581 more than the $34,657 at Arizona College of Nursing-Dallas. 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, Nelson University or Arizona College of Nursing-Dallas?
Arizona College of Nursing-Dallas: its completers carry a median $9,500 in federal loans versus $24,725 at Nelson University, a difference of $15,225. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.