Aveda Institute-Columbus 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 $30,231 at Aveda Institute-Columbus. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Aveda Institute-Columbus | The Modern College of Design |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $20,800 | $39,359 |
| Total net cost | $83,200 | $78,718 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $30,231 | $42,187 |
| Median debt | $6,333 | $12,000 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$445,780 | -$202,178 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Aveda Institute-Columbus or The Modern College of Design?
Aveda Institute-Columbus, at $20,800 a year after aid versus $39,359 — a gap of $18,559 a year, or $4,482 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 The Modern College of Design graduates earn more?
The Modern College of Design graduates report a median $42,187 ten years after entry, $11,956 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 The Modern College of Design?
Aveda Institute-Columbus: its completers carry a median $6,333 in federal loans versus $12,000 at The Modern College of Design, a difference of $5,667. 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 69% at The Modern College of Design. 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.