Goodwin University vs Cortiva Institute: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Goodwin University comes closer — median earnings $43,596 against a $58,498 total, vs $34,866 at Cortiva Institute. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Goodwin University | Cortiva Institute |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $29,249 | $34,436 |
| Total net cost | $58,498 | $137,744 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $43,596 | $34,866 |
| Median debt | $33,500 | $11,259 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$153,778 | -$407,624 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Goodwin University or Cortiva Institute?
Goodwin University, at $29,249 a year after aid versus $34,436 — a gap of $5,187 a year, or $79,246 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Goodwin University or Cortiva Institute graduates earn more?
Goodwin University graduates report a median $43,596 ten years after entry, $8,730 more than the $34,866 at Cortiva 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 leaves students with less debt, Goodwin University or Cortiva Institute?
Cortiva Institute: its completers carry a median $11,259 in federal loans versus $33,500 at Goodwin University, a difference of $22,241. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
85% of students finish at Cortiva Institute, against 58% at Goodwin 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.