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Aveda Institute-Columbus vs Creative Images Institute of Cosmetology-North Dayton: which has better ROI?

Private for-profit, Columbus OH · vs · Private for-profit, Dayton OH

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Aveda Institute-Columbus comes closer — median earnings $30,231 against a $83,200 total, vs $22,271 at Creative Images Institute of Cosmetology-North Dayton. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureAveda Institute-ColumbusCreative Images Institute of Cosmetology-North Dayton
Net price / yr$20,800$12,258
Total net cost$83,200$49,032
Median earnings, 10 yrs$30,231$22,271
Median debt$6,333$9,731
Payback
20-year net return-$445,780-$570,812

College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.

Which is cheaper, Aveda Institute-Columbus or Creative Images Institute of Cosmetology-North Dayton?

Creative Images Institute of Cosmetology-North Dayton, at $12,258 a year after aid versus $20,800 — a gap of $8,542 a year, or $34,168 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 Creative Images Institute of Cosmetology-North Dayton graduates earn more?

Aveda Institute-Columbus graduates report a median $30,231 ten years after entry, $7,960 more than the $22,271 at Creative Images Institute of Cosmetology-North Dayton. 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 Creative Images Institute of Cosmetology-North Dayton?

Aveda Institute-Columbus: its completers carry a median $6,333 in federal loans versus $9,731 at Creative Images Institute of Cosmetology-North Dayton, a difference of $3,398. 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 74% at Creative Images Institute of Cosmetology-North Dayton. 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.

Aveda Institute-Columbus vs Creative Images Institute of Cosmetology-North Dayton: frequently asked questions

Is Aveda Institute-Columbus or Creative Images Institute of Cosmetology-North Dayton a better value?
Aveda Institute-Columbus comes closer, but neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings — the field you study decides it here more than the school.
Which is cheaper, Aveda Institute-Columbus or Creative Images Institute of Cosmetology-North Dayton?
Creative Images Institute of Cosmetology-North Dayton: $12,258/yr net price after aid versus $20,800/yr at Aveda Institute-Columbus — a difference of $8,542 a year, or about $34,168 over four years.
Do Aveda Institute-Columbus or Creative Images Institute of Cosmetology-North Dayton graduates earn more?
Aveda Institute-Columbus graduates earn a median $30,231 ten years after entry, versus $22,271 at Creative Images Institute of Cosmetology-North Dayton — a $7,960 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.