Walden University vs Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute Minneapolis: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Walden University comes closer — median earnings $42,810 against a $135,268 total, vs $34,659 at Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute Minneapolis. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Walden University | Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute Minneapolis |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $33,817 | $18,345 |
| Total net cost | $135,268 | $73,380 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $42,810 | $34,659 |
| Median debt | $20,834 | $6,333 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$246,268 | -$347,400 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Walden University or Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute Minneapolis?
Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute Minneapolis, at $18,345 a year after aid versus $33,817 — a gap of $15,472 a year, or $61,888 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Walden University or Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute Minneapolis graduates earn more?
Walden University graduates report a median $42,810 ten years after entry, $8,151 more than the $34,659 at Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute Minneapolis. 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, Walden University or Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute Minneapolis?
Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute Minneapolis: its completers carry a median $6,333 in federal loans versus $20,834 at Walden University, a difference of $14,501. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.