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Hocking College vs Aveda Institute-Columbus: which has better ROI?

Public, Nelsonville OH · vs · Private for-profit, Columbus 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 $30,231 at Aveda Institute-Columbus. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureHocking CollegeAveda Institute-Columbus
Net price / yr$13,704$20,800
Total net cost$27,408$83,200
Median earnings, 10 yrs$37,791$30,231
Median debt$11,584$6,333
Payback
20-year net return-$238,788-$445,780

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

Which is cheaper, Hocking College or Aveda Institute-Columbus?

Hocking College, at $13,704 a year after aid versus $20,800 — a gap of $7,096 a year, or $55,792 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 Aveda Institute-Columbus graduates earn more?

Hocking College graduates report a median $37,791 ten years after entry, $7,560 more than the $30,231 at Aveda Institute-Columbus. 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 Aveda Institute-Columbus?

Aveda Institute-Columbus: its completers carry a median $6,333 in federal loans versus $11,584 at Hocking College, a difference of $5,251. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

74% of students finish at Aveda Institute-Columbus, 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 Aveda Institute-Columbus: frequently asked questions

Is Hocking College or Aveda Institute-Columbus 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 Aveda Institute-Columbus?
Hocking College: $13,704/yr net price after aid versus $20,800/yr at Aveda Institute-Columbus — a difference of $7,096 a year, or about $55,792 over four years.
Do Hocking College or Aveda Institute-Columbus graduates earn more?
Hocking College graduates earn a median $37,791 ten years after entry, versus $30,231 at Aveda Institute-Columbus — a $7,560 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.