Davis College vs Art Academy of Cincinnati: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Art Academy of Cincinnati comes closer — median earnings $34,368 against a $137,012 total, vs $31,588 at Davis College. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Davis College | Art Academy of Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $24,181 | $34,253 |
| Total net cost | $96,724 | $137,012 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $31,588 | $34,368 |
| Median debt | $21,277 | $27,000 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$432,164 | -$416,852 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Davis College or Art Academy of Cincinnati?
Davis College, at $24,181 a year after aid versus $34,253 — a gap of $10,072 a year, or $40,288 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Davis College or Art Academy of Cincinnati graduates earn more?
Art Academy of Cincinnati graduates report a median $34,368 ten years after entry, $2,780 more than the $31,588 at Davis College. 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, Davis College or Art Academy of Cincinnati?
Davis College: its completers carry a median $21,277 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Art Academy of Cincinnati, a difference of $5,723. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
50% of students finish at Davis College, against 41% at Art Academy of Cincinnati. 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.