College for Creative Studies vs The University of Olivet: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but The University of Olivet comes closer — median earnings $47,907 against a $85,572 total, vs $44,860 at College for Creative Studies. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | College for Creative Studies | The University of Olivet |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $34,617 | $21,393 |
| Total net cost | $138,468 | $85,572 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $44,860 | $47,907 |
| Median debt | $26,000 | $27,000 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$208,468 | -$94,632 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, College for Creative Studies or The University of Olivet?
The University of Olivet, at $21,393 a year after aid versus $34,617 — a gap of $13,224 a year, or $52,896 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 The University of Olivet graduates earn more?
The University of Olivet graduates report a median $47,907 ten years after entry, $3,047 more than the $44,860 at College for Creative Studies. 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 The University of Olivet?
College for Creative Studies: its completers carry a median $26,000 in federal loans versus $27,000 at The University of Olivet, a difference of $1,000. 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 35% at The University of Olivet. 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.