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University of Rio Grande vs Art Academy of Cincinnati: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Rio Grande OH · vs · Private nonprofit, Cincinnati OH

By the Degree Dividend editorial data teamEvery figure verified against its federal source — methodologyData updated June 2026

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but University of Rio Grande comes closer — median earnings $41,478 against a $47,372 total, vs $34,368 at Art Academy of Cincinnati. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureUniversity of Rio GrandeArt Academy of Cincinnati
Net price / yr$23,686$34,253
Total net cost$47,372$137,012
Median earnings, 10 yrs$41,478$34,368
Median debt$17,750$27,000
Payback——
20-year net return-$185,012-$416,852

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

Which is cheaper, University of Rio Grande or Art Academy of Cincinnati?

University of Rio Grande, at $23,686 a year after aid versus $34,253 — a gap of $10,567 a year, or $89,640 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 Rio Grande or Art Academy of Cincinnati graduates earn more?

University of Rio Grande graduates report a median $41,478 ten years after entry, $7,110 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 Rio Grande or Art Academy of Cincinnati?

University of Rio Grande: its completers carry a median $17,750 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Art Academy of Cincinnati, a difference of $9,250. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.

Which graduates more of its students?

41% of students finish at Art Academy of Cincinnati, against 36% at University of Rio Grande. 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.

University of Rio Grande vs Art Academy of Cincinnati: frequently asked questions

Is University of Rio Grande or Art Academy of Cincinnati a better value?
University of Rio Grande 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, University of Rio Grande or Art Academy of Cincinnati?
University of Rio Grande: $23,686/yr net price after aid versus $34,253/yr at Art Academy of Cincinnati — a difference of $10,567 a year, or about $89,640 over four years.
Do University of Rio Grande or Art Academy of Cincinnati graduates earn more?
University of Rio Grande graduates earn a median $41,478 ten years after entry, versus $34,368 at Art Academy of Cincinnati — a $7,110 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.