Head-to-head comparison
University of Cincinnati-Blue Ash College vs Ohio University-Lancaster Campus: which has better ROI?
Option A Blue Ash, OH
University of Cincinnati-Blue Ash College
- Net price / year
- $16,508
- Earnings, 10 years
- $54,810
- Payback
- 5.1 yrs
Option B Lancaster, OH
Ohio University-Lancaster Campus
- Net price / year
- $5,650
- Earnings, 10 years
- $52,581
- Payback
- 5.4 yrs
University of Cincinnati-Blue Ash College has the better ROI: it clears its 2-year net cost of $33,016 in 5.1 years versus 5.4 years at Ohio University-Lancaster Campus, on median earnings of $54,810 vs $52,581 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of Cincinnati-Blue Ash College | Ohio University-Lancaster Campus |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $16,508 | $5,650 |
| Total net cost | $33,016 | $22,600 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $54,810 | $52,581 |
| Median debt | $21,250 | $21,056 |
| Payback | 5.1 yrs | 5.4 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $95,984 | $61,820 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, University of Cincinnati-Blue Ash College or Ohio University-Lancaster Campus?
Ohio University-Lancaster Campus, at $5,650 a year after aid versus $16,508 — a gap of $10,858 a year, or $10,416 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 University of Cincinnati-Blue Ash College or Ohio University-Lancaster Campus graduates earn more?
University of Cincinnati-Blue Ash College graduates report a median $54,810 ten years after entry, $2,229 more than the $52,581 at Ohio University-Lancaster Campus. 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, University of Cincinnati-Blue Ash College or Ohio University-Lancaster Campus?
Ohio University-Lancaster Campus: its completers carry a median $21,056 in federal loans versus $21,250 at University of Cincinnati-Blue Ash College, a difference of $194. 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?
16% of students finish at University of Cincinnati-Blue Ash College, against 14% at Ohio University-Lancaster Campus. 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.