ATA College-Cincinnati vs Creative Images Institute of Cosmetology-North Dayton: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but ATA College-Cincinnati comes closer — median earnings $34,577 against a $108,220 total, vs $22,271 at Creative Images Institute of Cosmetology-North Dayton. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | ATA College-Cincinnati | Creative Images Institute of Cosmetology-North Dayton |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $27,055 | $12,258 |
| Total net cost | $108,220 | $49,032 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $34,577 | $22,271 |
| Median debt | $21,030 | $9,731 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$383,880 | -$570,812 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, ATA College-Cincinnati or Creative Images Institute of Cosmetology-North Dayton?
Creative Images Institute of Cosmetology-North Dayton, at $12,258 a year after aid versus $27,055 — a gap of $14,797 a year, or $59,188 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do ATA College-Cincinnati or Creative Images Institute of Cosmetology-North Dayton graduates earn more?
ATA College-Cincinnati graduates report a median $34,577 ten years after entry, $12,306 more than the $22,271 at Creative Images Institute of Cosmetology-North Dayton. 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, ATA College-Cincinnati or Creative Images Institute of Cosmetology-North Dayton?
Creative Images Institute of Cosmetology-North Dayton: its completers carry a median $9,731 in federal loans versus $21,030 at ATA College-Cincinnati, a difference of $11,299. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
74% of students finish at Creative Images Institute of Cosmetology-North Dayton, against 63% at ATA College-Cincinnati. 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.