Herzing University-Akron vs Art Academy of Cincinnati: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Herzing University-Akron comes closer — median earnings $36,909 against a $37,868 total, vs $34,368 at Art Academy of Cincinnati. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Herzing University-Akron | Art Academy of Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $18,934 | $34,253 |
| Total net cost | $37,868 | $137,012 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $36,909 | $34,368 |
| Median debt | $21,500 | $27,000 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$266,888 | -$416,852 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Herzing University-Akron or Art Academy of Cincinnati?
Herzing University-Akron, at $18,934 a year after aid versus $34,253 — a gap of $15,319 a year, or $99,144 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Herzing University-Akron or Art Academy of Cincinnati graduates earn more?
Herzing University-Akron graduates report a median $36,909 ten years after entry, $2,541 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, Herzing University-Akron or Art Academy of Cincinnati?
Herzing University-Akron: its completers carry a median $21,500 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Art Academy of Cincinnati, a difference of $5,500. 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 19% at Herzing University-Akron. 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.