Aveda Institute-Columbus vs Art Academy of Cincinnati: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Art Academy of Cincinnati comes closer — median earnings $34,368 against a $137,012 total, vs $30,231 at Aveda Institute-Columbus. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Aveda Institute-Columbus | Art Academy of Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $20,800 | $34,253 |
| Total net cost | $83,200 | $137,012 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $30,231 | $34,368 |
| Median debt | $6,333 | $27,000 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$445,780 | -$416,852 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Aveda Institute-Columbus or Art Academy of Cincinnati?
Aveda Institute-Columbus, at $20,800 a year after aid versus $34,253 — a gap of $13,453 a year, or $53,812 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Aveda Institute-Columbus or Art Academy of Cincinnati graduates earn more?
Art Academy of Cincinnati graduates report a median $34,368 ten years after entry, $4,137 more than the $30,231 at Aveda Institute-Columbus. 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, Aveda Institute-Columbus or Art Academy of Cincinnati?
Aveda Institute-Columbus: its completers carry a median $6,333 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Art Academy of Cincinnati, a difference of $20,667. 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 Aveda Institute-Columbus, against 41% at Art Academy of 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.