Cornerstone University vs College for Creative Studies: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Cornerstone University comes closer — median earnings $47,314 against a $81,204 total, vs $44,860 at College for Creative Studies. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Cornerstone University | College for Creative Studies |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $20,301 | $34,617 |
| Total net cost | $81,204 | $138,468 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $47,314 | $44,860 |
| Median debt | $25,000 | $26,000 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$102,124 | -$208,468 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Cornerstone University or College for Creative Studies?
Cornerstone University, at $20,301 a year after aid versus $34,617 — a gap of $14,316 a year, or $57,264 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Cornerstone University or College for Creative Studies graduates earn more?
Cornerstone University graduates report a median $47,314 ten years after entry, $2,454 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, Cornerstone University or College for Creative Studies?
Cornerstone University: its completers carry a median $25,000 in federal loans versus $26,000 at College for Creative Studies, 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 62% at Cornerstone 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.