Degree Dividend
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Herzing University-Akron vs Auburn Career Center: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Akron OH · vs · Public, Concord Twp OH

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Herzing University-Akron comes closer — median earnings $36,909 against a $37,868 total, vs $37,032 at Auburn Career Center. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureHerzing University-AkronAuburn Career Center
Net price / yr$18,934$12,051
Total net cost$37,868$48,204
Median earnings, 10 yrs$36,909$37,032
Median debt$21,500$6,365
Payback
20-year net return-$266,888-$274,764

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

Which is cheaper, Herzing University-Akron or Auburn Career Center?

Auburn Career Center, at $12,051 a year after aid versus $18,934 — a gap of $6,883 a year, or $10,336 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 Auburn Career Center graduates earn more?

Auburn Career Center graduates report a median $37,032 ten years after entry, $123 more than the $36,909 at Herzing University-Akron. 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 Auburn Career Center?

Auburn Career Center: its completers carry a median $6,365 in federal loans versus $21,500 at Herzing University-Akron, a difference of $15,135. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

69% of students finish at Auburn Career Center, 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.

Herzing University-Akron vs Auburn Career Center: frequently asked questions

Is Herzing University-Akron or Auburn Career Center a better value?
Herzing University-Akron 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, Herzing University-Akron or Auburn Career Center?
Auburn Career Center: $12,051/yr net price after aid versus $18,934/yr at Herzing University-Akron — a difference of $6,883 a year, or about $10,336 over four years.
Do Herzing University-Akron or Auburn Career Center graduates earn more?
Auburn Career Center graduates earn a median $37,032 ten years after entry, versus $36,909 at Herzing University-Akron — a $123 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.