Head-to-head comparison
Walden University vs Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute Minneapolis: which has better ROI?
Option A Minneapolis, MN
Walden University
- Net price / year
- $33,817
- Earnings, 10 years
- $42,810
- Payback
- No payback
Option B Minneapolis, MN
Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute Minneapolis
- Net price / year
- $18,345
- Earnings, 10 years
- $34,659
- Payback
- No payback
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Walden University comes closer — median earnings $42,810 against a $135,268 total, vs $34,659 at Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute Minneapolis. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Walden University | Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute Minneapolis |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $33,817 | $18,345 |
| Total net cost | $135,268 | $73,380 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $42,810 | $34,659 |
| Median debt | $20,834 | $6,333 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$246,268 | -$347,400 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, Walden University or Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute Minneapolis?
Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute Minneapolis, at $18,345 a year after aid versus $33,817 — a gap of $15,472 a year, or $61,888 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 Walden University or Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute Minneapolis graduates earn more?
Walden University graduates report a median $42,810 ten years after entry, $8,151 more than the $34,659 at Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute Minneapolis. 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, Walden University or Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute Minneapolis?
Aveda Arts & Sciences Institute Minneapolis: its completers carry a median $6,333 in federal loans versus $20,834 at Walden University, a difference of $14,501. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.