Cedarville University vs Hiram College: which has better ROI?
Cedarville University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $97,872 in 13.8 years versus 14.2 years at Hiram College, on median earnings of $55,443 vs $54,311 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Cedarville University | Hiram College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $24,468 | $21,058 |
| Total net cost | $97,872 | $84,232 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $55,443 | $54,311 |
| Median debt | $20,937 | $27,000 |
| Payback | 13.8 yrs | 14.2 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $43,788 | $34,788 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Cedarville University or Hiram College?
Hiram College, at $21,058 a year after aid versus $24,468 — a gap of $3,410 a year, or $13,640 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Cedarville University or Hiram College graduates earn more?
Cedarville University graduates report a median $55,443 ten years after entry, $1,132 more than the $54,311 at Hiram College. 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, Cedarville University or Hiram College?
Cedarville University: its completers carry a median $20,937 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Hiram College, a difference of $6,063. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
73% of students finish at Cedarville University, against 55% at Hiram College. 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.