ATA College-Cincinnati vs Paul Mitchell the School-Columbus: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Paul Mitchell the School-Columbus comes closer — median earnings $37,609 against a $109,592 total, vs $34,577 at ATA College-Cincinnati. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | ATA College-Cincinnati | Paul Mitchell the School-Columbus |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $27,055 | $27,398 |
| Total net cost | $108,220 | $109,592 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $34,577 | $37,609 |
| Median debt | $21,030 | $9,833 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$383,880 | -$324,612 |
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-Columbus?
ATA College-Cincinnati, at $27,055 a year after aid versus $27,398 — a gap of $343 a year, or $1,372 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-Columbus graduates earn more?
Paul Mitchell the School-Columbus graduates report a median $37,609 ten years after entry, $3,032 more than the $34,577 at ATA College-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-Columbus?
Paul Mitchell the School-Columbus: its completers carry a median $9,833 in federal loans versus $21,030 at ATA College-Cincinnati, a difference of $11,197. 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 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.