Mesa Community College vs University of Phoenix-Arizona
A side-by-side look at cost, graduate earnings, debt and return on investment. The better figure in each row is highlighted.
| Mesa Community College Mesa, AZ | University of Phoenix-Arizona Phoenix, AZ | |
|---|---|---|
| ROI verdict | Break-even | Strong return |
| 10-year ROI | +6% | +165% |
| 10-year net gain | $2,989 | $108,292 |
| Median earnings (5 yr) | $50,424 | $62,387 |
| Median earnings (1 yr) | $51,054 | $58,268 |
| Average net price | $12,132 | $13,520 |
| Median debt | $7,473 | $31,553 |
| Break-even | 9.4 yrs | 3.8 yrs |
| Graduation rate | 16% | 21% |
| Admission rate | — | — |
Mesa Community College
Break-even
+$2,989 over 10 years
The payoff is roughly break-even — the degree recovers its cost, but slowly.
University of Phoenix-Arizona
Strong return
+$108,292 over 10 years
Graduate earnings clearly outpace the cost and debt — this degree pays back quickly.
Source: U.S. Department of Education, College Scorecard. ROI is computed by Degree Return — see how. Read the methodology. Data as of 2024.