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James A. Rhodes State College vs ATA College-Cincinnati: which has better ROI?

Public, Lima OH · vs · Private for-profit, Cincinnati OH

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but James A. Rhodes State College comes closer — median earnings $41,855 against a $35,028 total, vs $34,577 at ATA College-Cincinnati. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureJames A. Rhodes State CollegeATA College-Cincinnati
Net price / yr$8,757$27,055
Total net cost$35,028$108,220
Median earnings, 10 yrs$41,855$34,577
Median debt$12,000$21,030
Payback
20-year net return-$165,128-$383,880

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

Which is cheaper, James A. Rhodes State College or ATA College-Cincinnati?

James A. Rhodes State College, at $8,757 a year after aid versus $27,055 — a gap of $18,298 a year, or $73,192 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do James A. Rhodes State College or ATA College-Cincinnati graduates earn more?

James A. Rhodes State College graduates report a median $41,855 ten years after entry, $7,278 more than the $34,577 at ATA College-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, James A. Rhodes State College or ATA College-Cincinnati?

James A. Rhodes State College: its completers carry a median $12,000 in federal loans versus $21,030 at ATA College-Cincinnati, a difference of $9,030. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

63% of students finish at ATA College-Cincinnati, against 47% at James A. Rhodes State 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.

James A. Rhodes State College vs ATA College-Cincinnati: frequently asked questions

Is James A. Rhodes State College or ATA College-Cincinnati a better value?
James A. Rhodes State 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, James A. Rhodes State College or ATA College-Cincinnati?
James A. Rhodes State College: $8,757/yr net price after aid versus $27,055/yr at ATA College-Cincinnati — a difference of $18,298 a year, or about $73,192 over four years.
Do James A. Rhodes State College or ATA College-Cincinnati graduates earn more?
James A. Rhodes State College graduates earn a median $41,855 ten years after entry, versus $34,577 at ATA College-Cincinnati — a $7,278 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.