ATA College-Cincinnati vs The Modern College of Design: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but The Modern College of Design comes closer — median earnings $42,187 against a $78,718 total, vs $34,577 at ATA College-Cincinnati. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | ATA College-Cincinnati | The Modern College of Design |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $27,055 | $39,359 |
| Total net cost | $108,220 | $78,718 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $34,577 | $42,187 |
| Median debt | $21,030 | $12,000 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$383,880 | -$202,178 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, ATA College-Cincinnati or The Modern College of Design?
ATA College-Cincinnati, at $27,055 a year after aid versus $39,359 — a gap of $12,304 a year, or $29,502 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 The Modern College of Design graduates earn more?
The Modern College of Design graduates report a median $42,187 ten years after entry, $7,610 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 The Modern College of Design?
The Modern College of Design: its completers carry a median $12,000 in federal loans versus $21,030 at ATA College-Cincinnati, a difference of $9,030. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
69% of students finish at The Modern College of Design, 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.