Wilberforce University vs ATA College-Cincinnati: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Wilberforce University comes closer — median earnings $38,298 against a $22,268 total, vs $34,577 at ATA College-Cincinnati. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Wilberforce University | ATA College-Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $5,567 | $27,055 |
| Total net cost | $22,268 | $108,220 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $38,298 | $34,577 |
| Median debt | $26,468 | $21,030 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$223,508 | -$383,880 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Wilberforce University or ATA College-Cincinnati?
Wilberforce University, at $5,567 a year after aid versus $27,055 — a gap of $21,488 a year, or $85,952 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Wilberforce University or ATA College-Cincinnati graduates earn more?
Wilberforce University graduates report a median $38,298 ten years after entry, $3,721 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, Wilberforce University or ATA College-Cincinnati?
ATA College-Cincinnati: its completers carry a median $21,030 in federal loans versus $26,468 at Wilberforce University, a difference of $5,438. 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 12% at Wilberforce University. 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.