American Institute of Alternative Medicine vs Paul Mitchell the School-Columbus: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but American Institute of Alternative Medicine comes closer — median earnings $40,805 against a $153,568 total, vs $37,609 at Paul Mitchell the School-Columbus. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | American Institute of Alternative Medicine | Paul Mitchell the School-Columbus |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $38,392 | $27,398 |
| Total net cost | $153,568 | $109,592 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $40,805 | $37,609 |
| Median debt | $9,500 | $9,833 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$304,668 | -$324,612 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, American Institute of Alternative Medicine or Paul Mitchell the School-Columbus?
Paul Mitchell the School-Columbus, at $27,398 a year after aid versus $38,392 — a gap of $10,994 a year, or $43,976 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do American Institute of Alternative Medicine or Paul Mitchell the School-Columbus graduates earn more?
American Institute of Alternative Medicine graduates report a median $40,805 ten years after entry, $3,196 more than the $37,609 at Paul Mitchell the School-Columbus. 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.
Which leaves students with less debt, American Institute of Alternative Medicine or Paul Mitchell the School-Columbus?
American Institute of Alternative Medicine: its completers carry a median $9,500 in federal loans versus $9,833 at Paul Mitchell the School-Columbus, a difference of $333. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
81% of students finish at Paul Mitchell the School-Columbus, against 60% at American Institute of Alternative Medicine. 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.