Kent State University at Ashtabula vs ATA College-Cincinnati: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Kent State University at Ashtabula comes closer — median earnings $45,388 against a $24,410 total, vs $34,577 at ATA College-Cincinnati. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Kent State University at Ashtabula | ATA College-Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $12,205 | $27,055 |
| Total net cost | $24,410 | $108,220 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $45,388 | $34,577 |
| Median debt | $24,500 | $21,030 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$83,850 | -$383,880 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Kent State University at Ashtabula or ATA College-Cincinnati?
Kent State University at Ashtabula, at $12,205 a year after aid versus $27,055 — a gap of $14,850 a year, or $83,810 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Kent State University at Ashtabula or ATA College-Cincinnati graduates earn more?
Kent State University at Ashtabula graduates report a median $45,388 ten years after entry, $10,811 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, Kent State University at Ashtabula or ATA College-Cincinnati?
ATA College-Cincinnati: its completers carry a median $21,030 in federal loans versus $24,500 at Kent State University at Ashtabula, a difference of $3,470. 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 25% at Kent State University at Ashtabula. 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.