Kent State University at Salem vs Art Academy of Cincinnati: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Kent State University at Salem comes closer — median earnings $45,388 against a $27,598 total, vs $34,368 at Art Academy of Cincinnati. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Kent State University at Salem | Art Academy of Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $13,799 | $34,253 |
| Total net cost | $27,598 | $137,012 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $45,388 | $34,368 |
| Median debt | $24,500 | $27,000 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$87,038 | -$416,852 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Kent State University at Salem or Art Academy of Cincinnati?
Kent State University at Salem, at $13,799 a year after aid versus $34,253 — a gap of $20,454 a year, or $109,414 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 Salem or Art Academy of Cincinnati graduates earn more?
Kent State University at Salem graduates report a median $45,388 ten years after entry, $11,020 more than the $34,368 at Art Academy of 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 Salem or Art Academy of Cincinnati?
Kent State University at Salem: its completers carry a median $24,500 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Art Academy of Cincinnati, a difference of $2,500. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
41% of students finish at Art Academy of Cincinnati, against 31% at Kent State University at Salem. 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.