Aveda Institute-Columbus 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 $30,231 at Aveda Institute-Columbus. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Aveda Institute-Columbus | Paul Mitchell the School-Columbus |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $20,800 | $27,398 |
| Total net cost | $83,200 | $109,592 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $30,231 | $37,609 |
| Median debt | $6,333 | $9,833 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$445,780 | -$324,612 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Aveda Institute-Columbus or Paul Mitchell the School-Columbus?
Aveda Institute-Columbus, at $20,800 a year after aid versus $27,398 — a gap of $6,598 a year, or $26,392 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 Paul Mitchell the School-Columbus graduates earn more?
Paul Mitchell the School-Columbus graduates report a median $37,609 ten years after entry, $7,378 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 Paul Mitchell the School-Columbus?
Aveda Institute-Columbus: its completers carry a median $6,333 in federal loans versus $9,833 at Paul Mitchell the School-Columbus, a difference of $3,500. 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 74% at Aveda Institute-Columbus. 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.