ATA College-Cincinnati vs Elite School of Cosmetology: 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 $23,547 at Elite School of Cosmetology. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | ATA College-Cincinnati | Elite School of Cosmetology |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $27,055 | $32,349 |
| Total net cost | $108,220 | $129,396 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $34,577 | $23,547 |
| Median debt | $21,030 | $7,412 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$383,880 | -$625,656 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, ATA College-Cincinnati or Elite School of Cosmetology?
ATA College-Cincinnati, at $27,055 a year after aid versus $32,349 — a gap of $5,294 a year, or $21,176 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 Elite School of Cosmetology graduates earn more?
ATA College-Cincinnati graduates report a median $34,577 ten years after entry, $11,030 more than the $23,547 at Elite School of Cosmetology. 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 Elite School of Cosmetology?
Elite School of Cosmetology: its completers carry a median $7,412 in federal loans versus $21,030 at ATA College-Cincinnati, a difference of $13,618. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
65% of students finish at Elite School of Cosmetology, 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.