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College for Creative Studies vs Dorsey College-Woodhaven: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Detroit MI · vs · Private for-profit, Woodhaven MI

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but College for Creative Studies comes closer — median earnings $44,860 against a $138,468 total, vs $29,392 at Dorsey College-Woodhaven. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureCollege for Creative StudiesDorsey College-Woodhaven
Net price / yr$34,617$30,698
Total net cost$138,468$122,792
Median earnings, 10 yrs$44,860$29,392
Median debt$26,000$13,000
Payback
20-year net return-$208,468-$502,152

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

Which is cheaper, College for Creative Studies or Dorsey College-Woodhaven?

Dorsey College-Woodhaven, at $30,698 a year after aid versus $34,617 — a gap of $3,919 a year, or $15,676 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do College for Creative Studies or Dorsey College-Woodhaven graduates earn more?

College for Creative Studies graduates report a median $44,860 ten years after entry, $15,468 more than the $29,392 at Dorsey College-Woodhaven. 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, College for Creative Studies or Dorsey College-Woodhaven?

Dorsey College-Woodhaven: its completers carry a median $13,000 in federal loans versus $26,000 at College for Creative Studies, a difference of $13,000. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

71% of students finish at College for Creative Studies, against 48% at Dorsey College-Woodhaven. 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.

College for Creative Studies vs Dorsey College-Woodhaven: frequently asked questions

Is College for Creative Studies or Dorsey College-Woodhaven a better value?
College for Creative Studies 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, College for Creative Studies or Dorsey College-Woodhaven?
Dorsey College-Woodhaven: $30,698/yr net price after aid versus $34,617/yr at College for Creative Studies — a difference of $3,919 a year, or about $15,676 over four years.
Do College for Creative Studies or Dorsey College-Woodhaven graduates earn more?
College for Creative Studies graduates earn a median $44,860 ten years after entry, versus $29,392 at Dorsey College-Woodhaven — a $15,468 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.