Muskingum University vs Aveda Institute-Columbus: which has better ROI?
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 Aveda Institute-Columbus, on median earnings of $48,440 vs $30,231 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Muskingum University | Aveda Institute-Columbus |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $19,532 | $20,800 |
| Total net cost | $78,128 | $83,200 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $48,440 | $30,231 |
| Median debt | $25,369 | $6,333 |
| Payback | 976.6 yrs | — |
| 20-year net return | -$76,528 | -$445,780 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Muskingum University or Aveda Institute-Columbus?
Muskingum University, at $19,532 a year after aid versus $20,800 — a gap of $1,268 a year, or $5,072 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 Aveda Institute-Columbus graduates earn more?
Muskingum University graduates report a median $48,440 ten years after entry, $18,209 more than the $30,231 at Aveda Institute-Columbus. 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 Aveda Institute-Columbus?
Aveda Institute-Columbus: its completers carry a median $6,333 in federal loans versus $25,369 at Muskingum University, a difference of $19,036. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
74% of students finish at Aveda Institute-Columbus, 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.