Wilberforce University vs Aveda Institute-Columbus: 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 $30,231 at Aveda Institute-Columbus. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Wilberforce University | Aveda Institute-Columbus |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $5,567 | $20,800 |
| Total net cost | $22,268 | $83,200 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $38,298 | $30,231 |
| Median debt | $26,468 | $6,333 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$223,508 | -$445,780 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Wilberforce University or Aveda Institute-Columbus?
Wilberforce University, at $5,567 a year after aid versus $20,800 — a gap of $15,233 a year, or $60,932 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 Aveda Institute-Columbus graduates earn more?
Wilberforce University graduates report a median $38,298 ten years after entry, $8,067 more than the $30,231 at Aveda Institute-Columbus. 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 Aveda Institute-Columbus?
Aveda Institute-Columbus: its completers carry a median $6,333 in federal loans versus $26,468 at Wilberforce University, a difference of $20,135. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
74% of students finish at Aveda Institute-Columbus, 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.