Head-to-head comparison
Cleveland State Community College vs Herzing University-Nashville: which has better ROI?
Option A Cleveland, TN
Cleveland State Community College
- Net price / year
- $6,384
- Earnings, 10 years
- $36,671
- Payback
- No payback
Option B Nashville, TN
Herzing University-Nashville
- Net price / year
- $20,537
- Earnings, 10 years
- $36,909
- Payback
- No payback
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Cleveland State Community College comes closer — median earnings $36,671 against a $12,768 total, vs $36,909 at Herzing University-Nashville. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Cleveland State Community College | Herzing University-Nashville |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $6,384 | $20,537 |
| Total net cost | $12,768 | $82,148 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $36,671 | $36,909 |
| Median debt | $7,954 | $21,500 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$246,548 | -$311,168 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, Cleveland State Community College or Herzing University-Nashville?
Cleveland State Community College, at $6,384 a year after aid versus $20,537 — a gap of $14,153 a year, or $69,380 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 Cleveland State Community College or Herzing University-Nashville graduates earn more?
Herzing University-Nashville graduates report a median $36,909 ten years after entry, $238 more than the $36,671 at Cleveland State Community College. 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, Cleveland State Community College or Herzing University-Nashville?
Cleveland State Community College: its completers carry a median $7,954 in federal loans versus $21,500 at Herzing University-Nashville, a difference of $13,546. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.