Degree Dividend
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Douglas J Aveda Institute vs Bay Mills Community College: which has better ROI?

Private for-profit, East Lansing MI · vs · Public, Brimley MI

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Bay Mills Community College comes closer — median earnings $30,048 against a $12,292 total, vs $26,849 at Douglas J Aveda Institute. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureDouglas J Aveda InstituteBay Mills Community College
Net price / yr$25,357$3,073
Total net cost$101,428$12,292
Median earnings, 10 yrs$26,849$30,048
Median debt$6,333
Payback
20-year net return-$531,648-$378,532

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

Which is cheaper, Douglas J Aveda Institute or Bay Mills Community College?

Bay Mills Community College, at $3,073 a year after aid versus $25,357 — a gap of $22,284 a year, or $89,136 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Douglas J Aveda Institute or Bay Mills Community College graduates earn more?

Bay Mills Community College graduates report a median $30,048 ten years after entry, $3,199 more than the $26,849 at Douglas J Aveda Institute. 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 graduates more of its students?

83% of students finish at Douglas J Aveda Institute, against 30% at Bay Mills Community College. 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.

Douglas J Aveda Institute vs Bay Mills Community College: frequently asked questions

Is Douglas J Aveda Institute or Bay Mills Community College a better value?
Bay Mills Community College 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, Douglas J Aveda Institute or Bay Mills Community College?
Bay Mills Community College: $3,073/yr net price after aid versus $25,357/yr at Douglas J Aveda Institute — a difference of $22,284 a year, or about $89,136 over four years.
Do Douglas J Aveda Institute or Bay Mills Community College graduates earn more?
Bay Mills Community College graduates earn a median $30,048 ten years after entry, versus $26,849 at Douglas J Aveda Institute — a $3,199 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.