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DeVry University-Ohio vs Art Academy of Cincinnati: which has better ROI?

Private for-profit, Columbus OH · vs · Private nonprofit, Cincinnati OH

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but DeVry University-Ohio comes closer — median earnings $45,987 against a $100,004 total, vs $34,368 at Art Academy of Cincinnati. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureDeVry University-OhioArt Academy of Cincinnati
Net price / yr$25,001$34,253
Total net cost$100,004$137,012
Median earnings, 10 yrs$45,987$34,368
Median debt$24,807$27,000
Payback
20-year net return-$147,464-$416,852

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

Which is cheaper, DeVry University-Ohio or Art Academy of Cincinnati?

DeVry University-Ohio, at $25,001 a year after aid versus $34,253 — a gap of $9,252 a year, or $37,008 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do DeVry University-Ohio or Art Academy of Cincinnati graduates earn more?

DeVry University-Ohio graduates report a median $45,987 ten years after entry, $11,619 more than the $34,368 at Art Academy of Cincinnati. 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, DeVry University-Ohio or Art Academy of Cincinnati?

DeVry University-Ohio: its completers carry a median $24,807 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Art Academy of Cincinnati, a difference of $2,193. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

41% of students finish at Art Academy of Cincinnati, against 39% at DeVry University-Ohio. 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.

DeVry University-Ohio vs Art Academy of Cincinnati: frequently asked questions

Is DeVry University-Ohio or Art Academy of Cincinnati a better value?
DeVry University-Ohio 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, DeVry University-Ohio or Art Academy of Cincinnati?
DeVry University-Ohio: $25,001/yr net price after aid versus $34,253/yr at Art Academy of Cincinnati — a difference of $9,252 a year, or about $37,008 over four years.
Do DeVry University-Ohio or Art Academy of Cincinnati graduates earn more?
DeVry University-Ohio graduates earn a median $45,987 ten years after entry, versus $34,368 at Art Academy of Cincinnati — a $11,619 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.