University of Akron Main Campus vs Aveda Institute-Columbus: 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 $30,231 at Aveda Institute-Columbus. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Akron Main Campus | Aveda Institute-Columbus |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $13,946 | $20,800 |
| Total net cost | $55,784 | $83,200 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $46,600 | $30,231 |
| Median debt | $23,250 | $6,333 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$90,984 | -$445,780 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of Akron Main Campus or Aveda Institute-Columbus?
University of Akron Main Campus, at $13,946 a year after aid versus $20,800 — a gap of $6,854 a year, or $27,416 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 Aveda Institute-Columbus graduates earn more?
University of Akron Main Campus graduates report a median $46,600 ten years after entry, $16,369 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, University of Akron Main Campus or Aveda Institute-Columbus?
Aveda Institute-Columbus: its completers carry a median $6,333 in federal loans versus $23,250 at University of Akron Main Campus, a difference of $16,917. 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 52% at University of Akron 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.