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Central State University vs Aveda Institute-Columbus: which has better ROI?

Public, Wilberforce OH · vs · Private for-profit, Columbus 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 $30,231 at Aveda Institute-Columbus. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureCentral State UniversityAveda Institute-Columbus
Net price / yr$13,096$20,800
Total net cost$52,384$83,200
Median earnings, 10 yrs$33,267$30,231
Median debt$30,739$6,333
Payback——
20-year net return-$354,244-$445,780

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

Which is cheaper, Central State University or Aveda Institute-Columbus?

Central State University, at $13,096 a year after aid versus $20,800 — a gap of $7,704 a year, or $30,816 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 Aveda Institute-Columbus graduates earn more?

Central State University graduates report a median $33,267 ten years after entry, $3,036 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, Central State University or Aveda Institute-Columbus?

Aveda Institute-Columbus: its completers carry a median $6,333 in federal loans versus $30,739 at Central State University, a difference of $24,406. 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 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 Aveda Institute-Columbus: frequently asked questions

Is Central State University or Aveda Institute-Columbus 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 Aveda Institute-Columbus?
Central State University: $13,096/yr net price after aid versus $20,800/yr at Aveda Institute-Columbus — a difference of $7,704 a year, or about $30,816 over four years.
Do Central State University or Aveda Institute-Columbus graduates earn more?
Central State University graduates earn a median $33,267 ten years after entry, versus $30,231 at Aveda Institute-Columbus — a $3,036 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.