Valley College-Cleveland vs Art Academy of Cincinnati: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Art Academy of Cincinnati comes closer — median earnings $34,368 against a $137,012 total, vs $24,900 at Valley College-Cleveland. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Valley College-Cleveland | Art Academy of Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $30,411 | $34,253 |
| Total net cost | $121,644 | $137,012 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $24,900 | $34,368 |
| Median debt | $9,500 | $27,000 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$590,844 | -$416,852 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Valley College-Cleveland or Art Academy of Cincinnati?
Valley College-Cleveland, at $30,411 a year after aid versus $34,253 — a gap of $3,842 a year, or $15,368 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Valley College-Cleveland or Art Academy of Cincinnati graduates earn more?
Art Academy of Cincinnati graduates report a median $34,368 ten years after entry, $9,468 more than the $24,900 at Valley College-Cleveland. 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, Valley College-Cleveland or Art Academy of Cincinnati?
Valley College-Cleveland: its completers carry a median $9,500 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Art Academy of Cincinnati, a difference of $17,500. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
57% of students finish at Valley College-Cleveland, 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.