Head-to-head comparison
University of Phoenix-Arizona vs University of Arizona: 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 Tucson, AZ
University of Arizona
- Net price / year
- $16,674
- Earnings, 10 years
- $59,979
- Payback
- 5.7 yrs
University of Arizona has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $66,696 in 5.7 years versus not at all at University of Phoenix-Arizona, on median earnings of $59,979 vs $37,752 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Phoenix-Arizona | University of Arizona |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $13,520 | $16,674 |
| Total net cost | $54,080 | $66,696 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $37,752 | $59,979 |
| Median debt | $31,553 | $19,620 |
| Payback | — | 5.7 yrs |
| 20-year net return | -$266,240 | $165,684 |
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 University of Arizona?
University of Phoenix-Arizona, at $13,520 a year after aid versus $16,674 — a gap of $3,154 a year, or $12,616 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 University of Arizona graduates earn more?
University of Arizona graduates report a median $59,979 ten years after entry, $22,227 more than the $37,752 at University of Phoenix-Arizona. 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 University of Arizona?
University of Arizona: its completers carry a median $19,620 in federal loans versus $31,553 at University of Phoenix-Arizona, a difference of $11,933. 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?
68% of students finish at University of Arizona, 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.