Degree Dividend
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Bowling Green State University-Main Campus vs Art Academy of Cincinnati: which has better ROI?

Public, Bowling Green OH · vs · Private nonprofit, Cincinnati OH

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Bowling Green State University-Main Campus comes closer — median earnings $47,896 against a $96,088 total, vs $34,368 at Art Academy of Cincinnati. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureBowling Green State University-Main CampusArt Academy of Cincinnati
Net price / yr$24,022$34,253
Total net cost$96,088$137,012
Median earnings, 10 yrs$47,896$34,368
Median debt$25,000$27,000
Payback
20-year net return-$105,368-$416,852

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

Which is cheaper, Bowling Green State University-Main Campus or Art Academy of Cincinnati?

Bowling Green State University-Main Campus, at $24,022 a year after aid versus $34,253 — a gap of $10,231 a year, or $40,924 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Bowling Green State University-Main Campus or Art Academy of Cincinnati graduates earn more?

Bowling Green State University-Main Campus graduates report a median $47,896 ten years after entry, $13,528 more than the $34,368 at Art Academy of Cincinnati. 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, Bowling Green State University-Main Campus or Art Academy of Cincinnati?

Bowling Green State University-Main Campus: its completers carry a median $25,000 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Art Academy of Cincinnati, a difference of $2,000. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

64% of students finish at Bowling Green State University-Main Campus, 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.

Bowling Green State University-Main Campus vs Art Academy of Cincinnati: frequently asked questions

Is Bowling Green State University-Main Campus or Art Academy of Cincinnati a better value?
Bowling Green State University-Main Campus 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, Bowling Green State University-Main Campus or Art Academy of Cincinnati?
Bowling Green State University-Main Campus: $24,022/yr net price after aid versus $34,253/yr at Art Academy of Cincinnati — a difference of $10,231 a year, or about $40,924 over four years.
Do Bowling Green State University-Main Campus or Art Academy of Cincinnati graduates earn more?
Bowling Green State University-Main Campus graduates earn a median $47,896 ten years after entry, versus $34,368 at Art Academy of Cincinnati — a $13,528 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.