ATA College-Cincinnati vs Paul Mitchell the School-Cincinnati: 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 $28,363 at Paul Mitchell the School-Cincinnati. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | ATA College-Cincinnati | Paul Mitchell the School-Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $27,055 | $27,029 |
| Total net cost | $108,220 | $108,116 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $34,577 | $28,363 |
| Median debt | $21,030 | $12,500 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$383,880 | -$508,056 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, ATA College-Cincinnati or Paul Mitchell the School-Cincinnati?
Paul Mitchell the School-Cincinnati, at $27,029 a year after aid versus $27,055 — a gap of $26 a year, or $104 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 Paul Mitchell the School-Cincinnati graduates earn more?
ATA College-Cincinnati graduates report a median $34,577 ten years after entry, $6,214 more than the $28,363 at Paul Mitchell the School-Cincinnati. 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 Paul Mitchell the School-Cincinnati?
Paul Mitchell the School-Cincinnati: its completers carry a median $12,500 in federal loans versus $21,030 at ATA College-Cincinnati, a difference of $8,530. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
79% of students finish at Paul Mitchell the School-Cincinnati, 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.