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Fortis College-Centerville vs Art Academy of Cincinnati: which has better ROI?

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

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Fortis College-Centerville comes closer — median earnings $34,726 against a $116,648 total, vs $34,368 at Art Academy of Cincinnati. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureFortis College-CentervilleArt Academy of Cincinnati
Net price / yr$29,162$34,253
Total net cost$116,648$137,012
Median earnings, 10 yrs$34,726$34,368
Median debt$13,000$27,000
Payback
20-year net return-$389,328-$416,852

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

Which is cheaper, Fortis College-Centerville or Art Academy of Cincinnati?

Fortis College-Centerville, at $29,162 a year after aid versus $34,253 — a gap of $5,091 a year, or $20,364 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Fortis College-Centerville or Art Academy of Cincinnati graduates earn more?

Fortis College-Centerville graduates report a median $34,726 ten years after entry, $358 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, Fortis College-Centerville or Art Academy of Cincinnati?

Fortis College-Centerville: its completers carry a median $13,000 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Art Academy of Cincinnati, a difference of $14,000. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

44% of students finish at Fortis College-Centerville, 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.

Fortis College-Centerville vs Art Academy of Cincinnati: frequently asked questions

Is Fortis College-Centerville or Art Academy of Cincinnati a better value?
Fortis College-Centerville 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, Fortis College-Centerville or Art Academy of Cincinnati?
Fortis College-Centerville: $29,162/yr net price after aid versus $34,253/yr at Art Academy of Cincinnati — a difference of $5,091 a year, or about $20,364 over four years.
Do Fortis College-Centerville or Art Academy of Cincinnati graduates earn more?
Fortis College-Centerville graduates earn a median $34,726 ten years after entry, versus $34,368 at Art Academy of Cincinnati — a $358 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.