Head-to-head comparison
University of Phoenix-Arizona vs Alturas Cosmetology of Arizona LLC: which has better ROI?
Option A Phoenix, AZ
University of Phoenix-Arizona
- Net price / year
- $13,520
- Earnings, 10 years
- $37,752
- Payback
- No payback
Option B Chandler, AZ
Alturas Cosmetology of Arizona LLC
- Net price / year
- $13,257
- Earnings, 10 years
- $27,201
- Payback
- No payback
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but University of Phoenix-Arizona comes closer — median earnings $37,752 against a $54,080 total, vs $27,201 at Alturas Cosmetology of Arizona LLC. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Phoenix-Arizona | Alturas Cosmetology of Arizona LLC |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $13,520 | $13,257 |
| Total net cost | $54,080 | $53,028 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $37,752 | $27,201 |
| Median debt | $31,553 | $6,221 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$266,240 | -$476,208 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, University of Phoenix-Arizona or Alturas Cosmetology of Arizona LLC?
Alturas Cosmetology of Arizona LLC, at $13,257 a year after aid versus $13,520 — a gap of $263 a year, or $1,052 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 University of Phoenix-Arizona or Alturas Cosmetology of Arizona LLC graduates earn more?
University of Phoenix-Arizona graduates report a median $37,752 ten years after entry, $10,551 more than the $27,201 at Alturas Cosmetology of Arizona LLC. 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, University of Phoenix-Arizona or Alturas Cosmetology of Arizona LLC?
Alturas Cosmetology of Arizona LLC: its completers carry a median $6,221 in federal loans versus $31,553 at University of Phoenix-Arizona, a difference of $25,332. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
The short answer
Which graduates more of its students?
77% of students finish at Alturas Cosmetology of Arizona LLC, against 21% at University of Phoenix-Arizona. 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.