University of Phoenix-Arizona vs Ashford University
Side-by-side ROI comparison using U.S. Department of Education data. Which school delivers a better financial return?
ROI Score Comparison
The Financial Comparison
University of Phoenix-Arizona and Ashford University are closely matched on financial return. University of Phoenix-Arizona scores 8/100 while Ashford University scores 6/100 - a gap small enough that individual circumstances (major choice, financial aid package, in-state vs out-of-state status) will likely matter more than the overall score difference.
On cost, University of Phoenix-Arizona comes in at $13,520 per year (net price after aid) versus $31,266 at Ashford University - a difference of $17,746 annually, or roughly $70,984 over four years.
Ten years after enrollment, University of Phoenix-Arizona graduates earn a median of $37,752 compared to $35,404 at Ashford University. The payback period is 70.5 years at University of Phoenix-Arizona versus 656.1 years at Ashford University.
Graduates leave Ashford University with a median $31,250 in debt versus $31,553 at University of Phoenix-Arizona. The debt-to-earnings ratios are 0.92 and 0.92 respectively - financial advisors generally recommend staying below 1.0.
Head-to-Head Numbers
| Metric | University of Phoenix-Ari... | Ashford University |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | ||
| In-State Tuition | $9,552 | $11,960 |
| Out-of-State Tuition | $9,552 | $11,960 |
| Net Price (avg) | $13,520 | $31,266 |
| Total 4-Year Cost | $54,080 | $125,064 |
| Outcomes | ||
| Median Earnings (6yr) | $34,200 | $34,000 |
| Median Earnings (10yr) | $37,752 | $35,404 |
| Graduation Rate | 20.8% | 10.7% |
| Payback Period | 70.5 yr | 656.1 yr |
| Debt | ||
| Median Debt | $31,553 | $31,250 |
| Monthly Payment | $335 | $331 |
| Debt-to-Earnings | 0.92 | 0.92 |
| 3yr Repayment Rate | 42.1% | 42.1% |
| 5yr Repayment Rate | 32.1% | 29.3% |
| Admissions | ||
| Acceptance Rate | N/A | N/A |
| Enrollment | 85,991 | 20,152 |
Net Price by Family Income
Average annual net price after grants and scholarships, by household income bracket.
| Family Income | University of Phoeni... | Ashford University |
|---|---|---|
| $0-$30,000 | $12,776 | $31,009 |
| $30,001-$48,000 | $13,833 | $31,862 |
| $48,001-$75,000 | $14,963 | $33,319 |
| $75,001-$110,000 | $17,177 | $32,953 |
| $110,001+ | $19,150 | $33,593 |
Earnings by Major - Head to Head
Median earnings for majors offered at both schools. Green highlights the higher figure.
| Major | University of Phoeni... | Ashford University |
|---|---|---|
| Finance and Financial Management | $80,134 | $64,426 |
| Marketing | $72,745 | $66,307 |
| Business Administration, Management, and Operations | $69,425 | $71,782 |
| Public Administration | $68,272 | $68,344 |
| Human Resources Management | $64,720 | $65,002 |
| Accounting | $63,113 | $61,522 |
| Communication and Media Studies | $57,523 | $61,909 |
| Criminal Justice and Corrections | $56,662 | $60,144 |
| Natural Resources Conservation | $49,808 | $55,435 |
| Health and Medical Administrative Services | $54,365 | $53,801 |
| Teacher Education | $49,626 | $43,748 |
| Behavioral Sciences | $48,657 | $45,157 |
| English Language and Literature | $47,429 | $47,071 |
ROI Sub-Score Breakdown
| Component | University of Phoeni... | Ashford University |
|---|---|---|
| Earnings Premium (30%) | 11 | 7 |
| Payback Period (25%) | 10 | 7 |
| Debt / Earnings (20%) | 7 | 8 |
| Completion Rate (15%) | 5 | 1 |
| Repayment Rate (10%) | 4 | 4 |
| Overall ROI Score | 8 | 6 |
The Verdict
These two schools are closely matched on financial outcomes. University of Phoenix-Arizona edges out Ashford University by 2 points (8 vs 6), but the difference is small enough that major choice and individual circumstances will matter more than the school-level ROI difference. Run the numbers for your specific situation using the calculator below.
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University of Phoenix-Arizona
Poor Value - Full profile and breakdown
Ashford University
Poor Value - Full profile and breakdown
Data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, as of 2024-2025. Earnings are measured 6 and 10 years after enrollment. Net prices reflect average aid for first-time, full-time students.See full methodology.