Central State University vs ATA College-Cincinnati: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Central State University comes closer — median earnings $33,267 against a $52,384 total, vs $34,577 at ATA College-Cincinnati. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Central State University | ATA College-Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $13,096 | $27,055 |
| Total net cost | $52,384 | $108,220 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $33,267 | $34,577 |
| Median debt | $30,739 | $21,030 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$354,244 | -$383,880 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Central State University or ATA College-Cincinnati?
Central State University, at $13,096 a year after aid versus $27,055 — a gap of $13,959 a year, or $55,836 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 ATA College-Cincinnati graduates earn more?
ATA College-Cincinnati graduates report a median $34,577 ten years after entry, $1,310 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 ATA College-Cincinnati?
ATA College-Cincinnati: its completers carry a median $21,030 in federal loans versus $30,739 at Central State University, a difference of $9,709. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
63% of students finish at ATA College-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.