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Head-to-head comparison

Houghton University vs Atelier Esthetique Institute of Esthetics: which has better ROI?

Private nonprofit, Houghton NY · vs · Private for-profit, New York NY

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

Option A Houghton, NY

Houghton University

Net price / year
$20,519
Earnings, 10 years
$46,721
Payback
No payback

Option B New York, NY

Atelier Esthetique Institute of Esthetics

Net price / year
$16,070
Earnings, 10 years
$40,826
Payback
No payback
The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Houghton University comes closer — median earnings $46,721 against a $82,076 total, vs $40,826 at Atelier Esthetique Institute of Esthetics. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureHoughton UniversityAtelier Esthetique Institute of Esthetics
Net price / yr$20,519$16,070
Total net cost$82,076$64,280
Median earnings, 10 yrs$46,721$40,826
Median debt$25,250$5,846
Payback——
20-year net return-$114,856-$214,960

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

The short answer

Which is cheaper, Houghton University or Atelier Esthetique Institute of Esthetics?

Atelier Esthetique Institute of Esthetics, at $16,070 a year after aid versus $20,519 — a gap of $4,449 a year, or $17,796 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 Houghton University or Atelier Esthetique Institute of Esthetics graduates earn more?

Houghton University graduates report a median $46,721 ten years after entry, $5,895 more than the $40,826 at Atelier Esthetique Institute of Esthetics. 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, Houghton University or Atelier Esthetique Institute of Esthetics?

Atelier Esthetique Institute of Esthetics: its completers carry a median $5,846 in federal loans versus $25,250 at Houghton University, a difference of $19,404. 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 Houghton University, against 57% at Atelier Esthetique Institute of Esthetics. 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.

Houghton University vs Atelier Esthetique Institute of Esthetics: frequently asked questions

Is Houghton University or Atelier Esthetique Institute of Esthetics a better value?
Houghton University comes closer, but neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings — the field you study decides it here more than the school.
Which is cheaper, Houghton University or Atelier Esthetique Institute of Esthetics?
Atelier Esthetique Institute of Esthetics: $16,070/yr net price after aid versus $20,519/yr at Houghton University — a difference of $4,449 a year, or about $17,796 over four years.
Do Houghton University or Atelier Esthetique Institute of Esthetics graduates earn more?
Houghton University graduates earn a median $46,721 ten years after entry, versus $40,826 at Atelier Esthetique Institute of Esthetics — a $5,895 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.