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Ross College-Canton vs Art Academy of Cincinnati: which has better ROI?

Private for-profit, Canton OH · vs · Private nonprofit, Cincinnati OH

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Art Academy of Cincinnati comes closer — median earnings $34,368 against a $137,012 total, vs $29,898 at Ross College-Canton. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureRoss College-CantonArt Academy of Cincinnati
Net price / yr$28,389$34,253
Total net cost$113,556$137,012
Median earnings, 10 yrs$29,898$34,368
Median debt$9,500$27,000
Payback
20-year net return-$482,796-$416,852

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

Which is cheaper, Ross College-Canton or Art Academy of Cincinnati?

Ross College-Canton, at $28,389 a year after aid versus $34,253 — a gap of $5,864 a year, or $23,456 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Ross College-Canton or Art Academy of Cincinnati graduates earn more?

Art Academy of Cincinnati graduates report a median $34,368 ten years after entry, $4,470 more than the $29,898 at Ross College-Canton. 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, Ross College-Canton or Art Academy of Cincinnati?

Ross College-Canton: its completers carry a median $9,500 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Art Academy of Cincinnati, a difference of $17,500. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

46% of students finish at Ross College-Canton, against 41% at Art Academy of Cincinnati. 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.

Ross College-Canton vs Art Academy of Cincinnati: frequently asked questions

Is Ross College-Canton or Art Academy of Cincinnati a better value?
Art Academy of Cincinnati 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, Ross College-Canton or Art Academy of Cincinnati?
Ross College-Canton: $28,389/yr net price after aid versus $34,253/yr at Art Academy of Cincinnati — a difference of $5,864 a year, or about $23,456 over four years.
Do Ross College-Canton or Art Academy of Cincinnati graduates earn more?
Art Academy of Cincinnati graduates earn a median $34,368 ten years after entry, versus $29,898 at Ross College-Canton — a $4,470 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.