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John Carroll University vs Hobart Institute of Welding Technology: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, University Heights OH · vs · Private nonprofit, Troy OH

The verdict

Hobart Institute of Welding Technology has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $85,636 in 6.8 years versus 7.9 years at John Carroll University, on median earnings of $60,955 vs $62,860 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureJohn Carroll UniversityHobart Institute of Welding Technology
Net price / yr$28,746$21,409
Total net cost$114,984$85,636
Median earnings, 10 yrs$62,860$60,955
Median debt$26,000$5,500
Payback7.9 yrs6.8 yrs
20-year net return$175,016$166,264

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

Which is cheaper, John Carroll University or Hobart Institute of Welding Technology?

Hobart Institute of Welding Technology, at $21,409 a year after aid versus $28,746 — a gap of $7,337 a year, or $29,348 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do John Carroll University or Hobart Institute of Welding Technology graduates earn more?

John Carroll University graduates report a median $62,860 ten years after entry, $1,905 more than the $60,955 at Hobart Institute of Welding Technology. 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, John Carroll University or Hobart Institute of Welding Technology?

Hobart Institute of Welding Technology: its completers carry a median $5,500 in federal loans versus $26,000 at John Carroll University, a difference of $20,500. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

90% of students finish at Hobart Institute of Welding Technology, against 79% at John Carroll University. 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.

John Carroll University vs Hobart Institute of Welding Technology: frequently asked questions

Is John Carroll University or Hobart Institute of Welding Technology a better value?
Hobart Institute of Welding Technology. It clears its $85,636 net cost in about 6.8 years versus 7.9 years at John Carroll University, on median earnings of $60,955 vs $62,860 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, John Carroll University or Hobart Institute of Welding Technology?
Hobart Institute of Welding Technology: $21,409/yr net price after aid versus $28,746/yr at John Carroll University — a difference of $7,337 a year, or about $29,348 over four years.
Do John Carroll University or Hobart Institute of Welding Technology graduates earn more?
John Carroll University graduates earn a median $62,860 ten years after entry, versus $60,955 at Hobart Institute of Welding Technology — a $1,905 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.