Community College of Aurora vs Aveda Institute-Denver: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Community College of Aurora comes closer — median earnings $44,592 against a $17,312 total, vs $38,020 at Aveda Institute-Denver. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Community College of Aurora | Aveda Institute-Denver |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $8,656 | $20,167 |
| Total net cost | $17,312 | $80,668 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $44,592 | $38,020 |
| Median debt | $10,500 | $9,829 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$92,672 | -$287,468 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Community College of Aurora or Aveda Institute-Denver?
Community College of Aurora, at $8,656 a year after aid versus $20,167 — a gap of $11,511 a year, or $63,356 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Community College of Aurora or Aveda Institute-Denver graduates earn more?
Community College of Aurora graduates report a median $44,592 ten years after entry, $6,572 more than the $38,020 at Aveda Institute-Denver. 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, Community College of Aurora or Aveda Institute-Denver?
Aveda Institute-Denver: its completers carry a median $9,829 in federal loans versus $10,500 at Community College of Aurora, a difference of $671. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
84% of students finish at Aveda Institute-Denver, against 33% at Community College of Aurora. 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.