University of Akron Main Campus vs Art Academy of Cincinnati: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but University of Akron Main Campus comes closer — median earnings $46,600 against a $55,784 total, vs $34,368 at Art Academy of Cincinnati. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Akron Main Campus | Art Academy of Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $13,946 | $34,253 |
| Total net cost | $55,784 | $137,012 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $46,600 | $34,368 |
| Median debt | $23,250 | $27,000 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$90,984 | -$416,852 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of Akron Main Campus or Art Academy of Cincinnati?
University of Akron Main Campus, at $13,946 a year after aid versus $34,253 — a gap of $20,307 a year, or $81,228 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do University of Akron Main Campus or Art Academy of Cincinnati graduates earn more?
University of Akron Main Campus graduates report a median $46,600 ten years after entry, $12,232 more than the $34,368 at Art Academy of Cincinnati. 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, University of Akron Main Campus or Art Academy of Cincinnati?
University of Akron Main Campus: its completers carry a median $23,250 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Art Academy of Cincinnati, a difference of $3,750. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
52% of students finish at University of Akron Main Campus, 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.