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Southern University and A & M College vs Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute-Covington: which has better ROI?

Public, Baton Rouge LA · vs · Private for-profit, Covington LA

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Southern University and A & M College comes closer — median earnings $43,371 against a $80,308 total, vs $30,334 at Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute-Covington. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureSouthern University and A & M CollegeAveda Arts & Sciences Institute-Covington
Net price / yr$20,077$25,742
Total net cost$80,308$102,968
Median earnings, 10 yrs$43,371$30,334
Median debt$29,251$7,917
Payback
20-year net return-$180,088-$463,488

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

Which is cheaper, Southern University and A & M College or Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute-Covington?

Southern University and A & M College, at $20,077 a year after aid versus $25,742 — a gap of $5,665 a year, or $22,660 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Southern University and A & M College or Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute-Covington graduates earn more?

Southern University and A & M College graduates report a median $43,371 ten years after entry, $13,037 more than the $30,334 at Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute-Covington. 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, Southern University and A & M College or Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute-Covington?

Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute-Covington: its completers carry a median $7,917 in federal loans versus $29,251 at Southern University and A & M College, a difference of $21,334. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

80% of students finish at Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute-Covington, against 27% at Southern University and A & M 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.

Southern University and A & M College vs Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute-Covington: frequently asked questions

Is Southern University and A & M College or Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute-Covington a better value?
Southern University and A & M 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, Southern University and A & M College or Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute-Covington?
Southern University and A & M College: $20,077/yr net price after aid versus $25,742/yr at Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute-Covington — a difference of $5,665 a year, or about $22,660 over four years.
Do Southern University and A & M College or Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute-Covington graduates earn more?
Southern University and A & M College graduates earn a median $43,371 ten years after entry, versus $30,334 at Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute-Covington — a $13,037 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.