Head-to-head comparison
State College of Florida-Manatee-Sarasota vs Arizona College of Nursing-Tampa: which has better ROI?
Option A Bradenton, FL
State College of Florida-Manatee-Sarasota
- Net price / year
- $22,356
- Earnings, 10 years
- $40,318
- Payback
- No payback
Option B Tampa, FL
Arizona College of Nursing-Tampa
- Net price / year
- $36,680
- Earnings, 10 years
- $34,657
- Payback
- No payback
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but State College of Florida-Manatee-Sarasota comes closer — median earnings $40,318 against a $44,712 total, vs $34,657 at Arizona College of Nursing-Tampa. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | State College of Florida-Manatee-Sarasota | Arizona College of Nursing-Tampa |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $22,356 | $36,680 |
| Total net cost | $44,712 | $146,720 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $40,318 | $34,657 |
| Median debt | $9,000 | $9,500 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$205,552 | -$420,780 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, State College of Florida-Manatee-Sarasota or Arizona College of Nursing-Tampa?
State College of Florida-Manatee-Sarasota, at $22,356 a year after aid versus $36,680 — a gap of $14,324 a year, or $102,008 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 State College of Florida-Manatee-Sarasota or Arizona College of Nursing-Tampa graduates earn more?
State College of Florida-Manatee-Sarasota graduates report a median $40,318 ten years after entry, $5,661 more than the $34,657 at Arizona College of Nursing-Tampa. 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, State College of Florida-Manatee-Sarasota or Arizona College of Nursing-Tampa?
State College of Florida-Manatee-Sarasota: its completers carry a median $9,000 in federal loans versus $9,500 at Arizona College of Nursing-Tampa, a difference of $500. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.