Head-to-head comparison
Art Academy of Cincinnati vs Elite School of Cosmetology: which has better ROI?
Option A Cincinnati, OH
Art Academy of Cincinnati
- Net price / year
- $34,253
- Earnings, 10 years
- $34,368
- Payback
- No payback
Option B Norwalk, OH
Elite School of Cosmetology
- Net price / year
- $32,349
- Earnings, 10 years
- $23,547
- Payback
- No payback
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 $23,547 at Elite School of Cosmetology. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Art Academy of Cincinnati | Elite School of Cosmetology |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $34,253 | $32,349 |
| Total net cost | $137,012 | $129,396 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $34,368 | $23,547 |
| Median debt | $27,000 | $7,412 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$416,852 | -$625,656 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, Art Academy of Cincinnati or Elite School of Cosmetology?
Elite School of Cosmetology, at $32,349 a year after aid versus $34,253 — a gap of $1,904 a year, or $7,616 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
The short answer
Do Art Academy of Cincinnati or Elite School of Cosmetology graduates earn more?
Art Academy of Cincinnati graduates report a median $34,368 ten years after entry, $10,821 more than the $23,547 at Elite School of Cosmetology. 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.
The short answer
Which leaves students with less debt, Art Academy of Cincinnati or Elite School of Cosmetology?
Elite School of Cosmetology: its completers carry a median $7,412 in federal loans versus $27,000 at Art Academy of Cincinnati, a difference of $19,588. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
The short answer
Which graduates more of its students?
65% of students finish at Elite School of Cosmetology, 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.