University of Cincinnati-Main Campus vs Cincinnati State Technical and Community College: which has better ROI?
University of Cincinnati-Main Campus has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $102,592 in 15.9 years versus not at all at Cincinnati State Technical and Community College, on median earnings of $54,810 vs $40,137 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Cincinnati-Main Campus | Cincinnati State Technical and Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $25,648 | $4,968 |
| Total net cost | $102,592 | $19,872 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $54,810 | $40,137 |
| Median debt | $21,250 | $14,715 |
| Payback | 15.9 yrs | — |
| 20-year net return | $26,408 | -$184,332 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of Cincinnati-Main Campus or Cincinnati State Technical and Community College?
Cincinnati State Technical and Community College, at $4,968 a year after aid versus $25,648 — a gap of $20,680 a year, or $82,720 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 Cincinnati-Main Campus or Cincinnati State Technical and Community College graduates earn more?
University of Cincinnati-Main Campus graduates report a median $54,810 ten years after entry, $14,673 more than the $40,137 at Cincinnati State Technical and Community College. 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 Cincinnati-Main Campus or Cincinnati State Technical and Community College?
Cincinnati State Technical and Community College: its completers carry a median $14,715 in federal loans versus $21,250 at University of Cincinnati-Main Campus, a difference of $6,535. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
75% of students finish at University of Cincinnati-Main Campus, against 16% at Cincinnati State Technical and Community 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.