Ohio State University-Main Campus vs Hobart Institute of Welding Technology: which has better ROI?
Ohio State University-Main Campus has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $69,356 in 5.8 years versus 6.8 years at Hobart Institute of Welding Technology, on median earnings of $60,409 vs $60,955 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Ohio State University-Main Campus | Hobart Institute of Welding Technology |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $17,339 | $21,409 |
| Total net cost | $69,356 | $85,636 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $60,409 | $60,955 |
| Median debt | $19,976 | $5,500 |
| Payback | 5.8 yrs | 6.8 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $171,624 | $166,264 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Ohio State University-Main Campus or Hobart Institute of Welding Technology?
Ohio State University-Main Campus, at $17,339 a year after aid versus $21,409 — a gap of $4,070 a year, or $16,280 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Ohio State University-Main Campus or Hobart Institute of Welding Technology graduates earn more?
Hobart Institute of Welding Technology graduates report a median $60,955 ten years after entry, $546 more than the $60,409 at Ohio State University-Main Campus. 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, Ohio State University-Main Campus or Hobart Institute of Welding Technology?
Hobart Institute of Welding Technology: its completers carry a median $5,500 in federal loans versus $19,976 at Ohio State University-Main Campus, a difference of $14,476. 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 88% at Ohio State University-Main Campus. 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.