Kenyon College vs Hobart Institute of Welding Technology: which has better ROI?
Kenyon College has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $154,048 in 6.6 years versus 6.8 years at Hobart Institute of Welding Technology, on median earnings of $71,830 vs $60,955 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Kenyon College | Hobart Institute of Welding Technology |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $38,512 | $21,409 |
| Total net cost | $154,048 | $85,636 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $71,830 | $60,955 |
| Median debt | $18,527 | $5,500 |
| Payback | 6.6 yrs | 6.8 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $315,352 | $166,264 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Kenyon College or Hobart Institute of Welding Technology?
Hobart Institute of Welding Technology, at $21,409 a year after aid versus $38,512 — a gap of $17,103 a year, or $68,412 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Kenyon College or Hobart Institute of Welding Technology graduates earn more?
Kenyon College graduates report a median $71,830 ten years after entry, $10,875 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, Kenyon College or Hobart Institute of Welding Technology?
Hobart Institute of Welding Technology: its completers carry a median $5,500 in federal loans versus $18,527 at Kenyon College, a difference of $13,027. 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 82% at Kenyon 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.