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Head-to-head comparison

Cedarville University vs Capital University: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Cedarville OH · vs · Private nonprofit, Columbus OH

By the Degree Dividend editorial data teamEvery figure verified against its federal source — methodologyData updated June 2026

Option A Cedarville, OH

Cedarville University

Net price / year
$24,468
Earnings, 10 years
$55,443
Payback
13.8 yrs

Option B Columbus, OH

Capital University

Net price / year
$22,576
Earnings, 10 years
$54,143
Payback
15.6 yrs
The verdict

Cedarville University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $97,872 in 13.8 years versus 15.6 years at Capital University, on median earnings of $55,443 vs $54,143 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureCedarville UniversityCapital University
Net price / yr$24,468$22,576
Total net cost$97,872$90,304
Median earnings, 10 yrs$55,443$54,143
Median debt$20,937$26,889
Payback13.8 yrs15.6 yrs
20-year net return$43,788$25,356

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

The short answer

Which is cheaper, Cedarville University or Capital University?

Capital University, at $22,576 a year after aid versus $24,468 — a gap of $1,892 a year, or $7,568 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 Cedarville University or Capital University graduates earn more?

Cedarville University graduates report a median $55,443 ten years after entry, $1,300 more than the $54,143 at Capital University. 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, Cedarville University or Capital University?

Cedarville University: its completers carry a median $20,937 in federal loans versus $26,889 at Capital University, a difference of $5,952. 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?

73% of students finish at Cedarville University, against 60% at Capital 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.

Cedarville University vs Capital University: frequently asked questions

Is Cedarville University or Capital University a better value?
Cedarville University. It clears its $97,872 net cost in about 13.8 years versus 15.6 years at Capital University, on median earnings of $55,443 vs $54,143 ten years out.
Which is cheaper, Cedarville University or Capital University?
Capital University: $22,576/yr net price after aid versus $24,468/yr at Cedarville University — a difference of $1,892 a year, or about $7,568 over four years.
Do Cedarville University or Capital University graduates earn more?
Cedarville University graduates earn a median $55,443 ten years after entry, versus $54,143 at Capital University — a $1,300 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.