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Hocking College vs Art Academy of Cincinnati: which has better ROI?

Public, Nelsonville OH · vs · Private nonprofit, Cincinnati OH

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Hocking College comes closer — median earnings $37,791 against a $27,408 total, vs $34,368 at Art Academy of Cincinnati. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureHocking CollegeArt Academy of Cincinnati
Net price / yr$13,704$34,253
Total net cost$27,408$137,012
Median earnings, 10 yrs$37,791$34,368
Median debt$11,584$27,000
Payback
20-year net return-$238,788-$416,852

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

Which is cheaper, Hocking College or Art Academy of Cincinnati?

Hocking College, at $13,704 a year after aid versus $34,253 — a gap of $20,549 a year, or $109,604 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Hocking College or Art Academy of Cincinnati graduates earn more?

Hocking College graduates report a median $37,791 ten years after entry, $3,423 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, Hocking College or Art Academy of Cincinnati?

Hocking College: its completers carry a median $11,584 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Art Academy of Cincinnati, a difference of $15,416. 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 37% at Hocking College. 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.

Hocking College vs Art Academy of Cincinnati: frequently asked questions

Is Hocking College or Art Academy of Cincinnati a better value?
Hocking College 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, Hocking College or Art Academy of Cincinnati?
Hocking College: $13,704/yr net price after aid versus $34,253/yr at Art Academy of Cincinnati — a difference of $20,549 a year, or about $109,604 over four years.
Do Hocking College or Art Academy of Cincinnati graduates earn more?
Hocking College graduates earn a median $37,791 ten years after entry, versus $34,368 at Art Academy of Cincinnati — a $3,423 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.