Degree Dividend
Sourced from federal dataEvery figure datedNo rankings for sale

Washington State College of Ohio vs Art Academy of Cincinnati: which has better ROI?

Public, Marietta OH · vs · Private nonprofit, Cincinnati OH

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Washington State College of Ohio comes closer — median earnings $37,988 against a $15,428 total, vs $34,368 at Art Academy of Cincinnati. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

Share
Head to head
MeasureWashington State College of OhioArt Academy of Cincinnati
Net price / yr$7,714$34,253
Total net cost$15,428$137,012
Median earnings, 10 yrs$37,988$34,368
Median debt$11,000$27,000
Payback
20-year net return-$222,868-$416,852

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

Which is cheaper, Washington State College of Ohio or Art Academy of Cincinnati?

Washington State College of Ohio, at $7,714 a year after aid versus $34,253 — a gap of $26,539 a year, or $121,584 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.

Do Washington State College of Ohio or Art Academy of Cincinnati graduates earn more?

Washington State College of Ohio graduates report a median $37,988 ten years after entry, $3,620 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, Washington State College of Ohio or Art Academy of Cincinnati?

Washington State College of Ohio: its completers carry a median $11,000 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Art Academy of Cincinnati, a difference of $16,000. 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 32% at Washington State College of Ohio. 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.

Washington State College of Ohio vs Art Academy of Cincinnati: frequently asked questions

Is Washington State College of Ohio or Art Academy of Cincinnati a better value?
Washington State College of Ohio 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, Washington State College of Ohio or Art Academy of Cincinnati?
Washington State College of Ohio: $7,714/yr net price after aid versus $34,253/yr at Art Academy of Cincinnati — a difference of $26,539 a year, or about $121,584 over four years.
Do Washington State College of Ohio or Art Academy of Cincinnati graduates earn more?
Washington State College of Ohio graduates earn a median $37,988 ten years after entry, versus $34,368 at Art Academy of Cincinnati — a $3,620 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.