Heidelberg University vs ATA College-Cincinnati: which has better ROI?
Heidelberg University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $82,224 in 775.7 years versus not at all at ATA College-Cincinnati, on median earnings of $48,466 vs $34,577 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Heidelberg University | ATA College-Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $20,556 | $27,055 |
| Total net cost | $82,224 | $108,220 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $48,466 | $34,577 |
| Median debt | $27,000 | $21,030 |
| Payback | 775.7 yrs | — |
| 20-year net return | -$80,104 | -$383,880 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Heidelberg University or ATA College-Cincinnati?
Heidelberg University, at $20,556 a year after aid versus $27,055 — a gap of $6,499 a year, or $25,996 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Heidelberg University or ATA College-Cincinnati graduates earn more?
Heidelberg University graduates report a median $48,466 ten years after entry, $13,889 more than the $34,577 at ATA College-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, Heidelberg University or ATA College-Cincinnati?
ATA College-Cincinnati: its completers carry a median $21,030 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Heidelberg University, a difference of $5,970. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
63% of students finish at ATA College-Cincinnati, against 52% at Heidelberg 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.