Aveda Institute-Columbus vs Elite School of Cosmetology: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Aveda Institute-Columbus comes closer — median earnings $30,231 against a $83,200 total, vs $23,547 at Elite School of Cosmetology. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Aveda Institute-Columbus | Elite School of Cosmetology |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $20,800 | $32,349 |
| Total net cost | $83,200 | $129,396 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $30,231 | $23,547 |
| Median debt | $6,333 | $7,412 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$445,780 | -$625,656 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Aveda Institute-Columbus or Elite School of Cosmetology?
Aveda Institute-Columbus, at $20,800 a year after aid versus $32,349 — a gap of $11,549 a year, or $46,196 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 Elite School of Cosmetology graduates earn more?
Aveda Institute-Columbus graduates report a median $30,231 ten years after entry, $6,684 more than the $23,547 at Elite School of Cosmetology. 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 Elite School of Cosmetology?
Aveda Institute-Columbus: its completers carry a median $6,333 in federal loans versus $7,412 at Elite School of Cosmetology, a difference of $1,079. 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 65% at Elite School of Cosmetology. 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.