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Central State University vs Art Academy of Cincinnati: which has better ROI?

Public, Wilberforce OH · vs · Private nonprofit, Cincinnati OH

By the Degree Dividend editorial data teamEvery figure verified against its federal source — methodologyData updated June 2026

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Central State University comes closer — median earnings $33,267 against a $52,384 total, vs $34,368 at Art Academy of Cincinnati. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureCentral State UniversityArt Academy of Cincinnati
Net price / yr$13,096$34,253
Total net cost$52,384$137,012
Median earnings, 10 yrs$33,267$34,368
Median debt$30,739$27,000
Payback——
20-year net return-$354,244-$416,852

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

Which is cheaper, Central State University or Art Academy of Cincinnati?

Central State University, at $13,096 a year after aid versus $34,253 — a gap of $21,157 a year, or $84,628 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Central State University or Art Academy of Cincinnati graduates earn more?

Art Academy of Cincinnati graduates report a median $34,368 ten years after entry, $1,101 more than the $33,267 at Central State University. 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, Central State University or Art Academy of Cincinnati?

Art Academy of Cincinnati: its completers carry a median $27,000 in federal loans versus $30,739 at Central State University, a difference of $3,739. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

41% of students finish at Art Academy of Cincinnati, against 23% at Central State University. 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.

Central State University vs Art Academy of Cincinnati: frequently asked questions

Is Central State University or Art Academy of Cincinnati a better value?
Central State University 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, Central State University or Art Academy of Cincinnati?
Central State University: $13,096/yr net price after aid versus $34,253/yr at Art Academy of Cincinnati — a difference of $21,157 a year, or about $84,628 over four years.
Do Central State University or Art Academy of Cincinnati graduates earn more?
Art Academy of Cincinnati graduates earn a median $34,368 ten years after entry, versus $33,267 at Central State University — a $1,101 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.