Degree Dividend
Sourced from federal dataEvery figure datedNo rankings for sale

Muskingum University vs ATA College-Cincinnati: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, New Concord OH · vs · Private for-profit, Cincinnati OH

The verdict

Muskingum University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $78,128 in 976.6 years versus not at all at ATA College-Cincinnati, on median earnings of $48,440 vs $34,577 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

Share
Head to head
MeasureMuskingum UniversityATA College-Cincinnati
Net price / yr$19,532$27,055
Total net cost$78,128$108,220
Median earnings, 10 yrs$48,440$34,577
Median debt$25,369$21,030
Payback976.6 yrs
20-year net return-$76,528-$383,880

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

Which is cheaper, Muskingum University or ATA College-Cincinnati?

Muskingum University, at $19,532 a year after aid versus $27,055 — a gap of $7,523 a year, or $30,092 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Muskingum University or ATA College-Cincinnati graduates earn more?

Muskingum University graduates report a median $48,440 ten years after entry, $13,863 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, Muskingum University or ATA College-Cincinnati?

ATA College-Cincinnati: its completers carry a median $21,030 in federal loans versus $25,369 at Muskingum University, a difference of $4,339. 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 56% at Muskingum 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.

Muskingum University vs ATA College-Cincinnati: frequently asked questions

Is Muskingum University or ATA College-Cincinnati a better value?
Muskingum University. It clears its $78,128 net cost in about 976.6 years versus no clear payback at ATA College-Cincinnati, on median earnings of $48,440 vs $34,577 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Muskingum University or ATA College-Cincinnati?
Muskingum University: $19,532/yr net price after aid versus $27,055/yr at ATA College-Cincinnati — a difference of $7,523 a year, or about $30,092 over four years.
Do Muskingum University or ATA College-Cincinnati graduates earn more?
Muskingum University graduates earn a median $48,440 ten years after entry, versus $34,577 at ATA College-Cincinnati — a $13,863 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.