Degree Dividend
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Hocking College vs Auburn Career Center: which has better ROI?

Public, Nelsonville OH · vs · Public, Concord Twp 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 $37,032 at Auburn Career Center. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureHocking CollegeAuburn Career Center
Net price / yr$13,704$12,051
Total net cost$27,408$48,204
Median earnings, 10 yrs$37,791$37,032
Median debt$11,584$6,365
Payback
20-year net return-$238,788-$274,764

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

Which is cheaper, Hocking College or Auburn Career Center?

Auburn Career Center, at $12,051 a year after aid versus $13,704 — a gap of $1,653 a year, or $20,796 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 Auburn Career Center graduates earn more?

Hocking College graduates report a median $37,791 ten years after entry, $759 more than the $37,032 at Auburn Career Center. 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 Auburn Career Center?

Auburn Career Center: its completers carry a median $6,365 in federal loans versus $11,584 at Hocking College, a difference of $5,219. 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 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 Auburn Career Center: frequently asked questions

Is Hocking College or Auburn Career Center 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 Auburn Career Center?
Auburn Career Center: $12,051/yr net price after aid versus $13,704/yr at Hocking College — a difference of $1,653 a year, or about $20,796 over four years.
Do Hocking College or Auburn Career Center graduates earn more?
Hocking College graduates earn a median $37,791 ten years after entry, versus $37,032 at Auburn Career Center — a $759 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.