University of Rio Grande vs ATA College-Cincinnati: which has better ROI?
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 $34,577 at ATA College-Cincinnati. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Rio Grande | ATA College-Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $23,686 | $27,055 |
| Total net cost | $47,372 | $108,220 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $41,478 | $34,577 |
| Median debt | $17,750 | $21,030 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$185,012 | -$383,880 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of Rio Grande or ATA College-Cincinnati?
University of Rio Grande, at $23,686 a year after aid versus $27,055 — a gap of $3,369 a year, or $60,848 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 ATA College-Cincinnati graduates earn more?
University of Rio Grande graduates report a median $41,478 ten years after entry, $6,901 more than the $34,577 at ATA College-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 ATA College-Cincinnati?
University of Rio Grande: its completers carry a median $17,750 in federal loans versus $21,030 at ATA College-Cincinnati, a difference of $3,280. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
63% of students finish at ATA College-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.