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North Central State College vs Aveda Institute-Columbus: which has better ROI?

Public, Mansfield OH · vs · Private for-profit, Columbus OH

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but North Central State College comes closer — median earnings $38,158 against a $9,374 total, vs $30,231 at Aveda Institute-Columbus. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureNorth Central State CollegeAveda Institute-Columbus
Net price / yr$4,687$20,800
Total net cost$9,374$83,200
Median earnings, 10 yrs$38,158$30,231
Median debt$8,252$6,333
Payback
20-year net return-$213,414-$445,780

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

Which is cheaper, North Central State College or Aveda Institute-Columbus?

North Central State College, at $4,687 a year after aid versus $20,800 — a gap of $16,113 a year, or $73,826 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do North Central State College or Aveda Institute-Columbus graduates earn more?

North Central State College graduates report a median $38,158 ten years after entry, $7,927 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, North Central State College or Aveda Institute-Columbus?

Aveda Institute-Columbus: its completers carry a median $6,333 in federal loans versus $8,252 at North Central State College, a difference of $1,919. 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 36% at North Central State 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.

North Central State College vs Aveda Institute-Columbus: frequently asked questions

Is North Central State College or Aveda Institute-Columbus a better value?
North Central State College comes closer, but neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings — the field you study decides it here more than the school.
Which is cheaper, North Central State College or Aveda Institute-Columbus?
North Central State College: $4,687/yr net price after aid versus $20,800/yr at Aveda Institute-Columbus — a difference of $16,113 a year, or about $73,826 over four years.
Do North Central State College or Aveda Institute-Columbus graduates earn more?
North Central State College graduates earn a median $38,158 ten years after entry, versus $30,231 at Aveda Institute-Columbus — a $7,927 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.