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Academy of Art University
San Francisco, CA 3,587 Undergrads 24.8% Grad Rate
Total Cost
$48,036
Sticker Price
Avg Net Price
$40,613
After Aid
Median Earnings
$50,255
4yr Post-Grad
Vs. Peer Institutions
Net Price$40,613
Peer Midpoint: $20,081
Earnings (4yr Post-Grad)Completers only after graduation
$50,255Peer Midpoint: $60,428
Warning: This school's reported earnings inflated significantly (+29%) when the Dept of Education excluded non-graduates from the dataset. Take caution when comparing.
Earnings (10yr Post-Enroll)All enrolled after enrollment
$39,008Peer Midpoint: $53,763
Graduation Rate24.8%
Peer Midpoint: 58.9%
Warning: The majority of students at this institution do not graduate. Non-completers typically earn significantly less and face higher debt risks.
Average Starting Age25.7
Warning: High average starting age indicates non-traditional students with prior work experience, which may inflate the median earnings shown.
Socio-Economic Diversity
Pell Grant Recipients42.0%
Enrollment Status
Full-Time53.1%
Economic Outcomes
Earn More than HS50.9%
Admissions Profile
Acceptance
100.0%
SAT Avg
-
SAT Reading
25th: --75th: -
SAT Math
25th: --75th: -
ACT Composite
25th: --75th: -
ROI Sensitivity Analysis
This analysis tests three cost scenarios (Scholarship, Average Net Price, Full Sticker Price) to show how college costs impact your long-term return compared to the average student and a high school graduate.
Lifetime Value Added (NPV)⚠️ Caution: Underlying earnings data reflects graduates only. This institution flagged for high risk factors (low completion/older demographics) that may artificially inflate this ROI.
⚠️ Caution: Underlying earnings data reflects graduates only. This institution flagged for high risk factors (low completion/older demographics) that may artificially inflate this ROI.
Institution Lifetime NPV
Vs Median Peer
Vs HS Grad
Zero Cost (Scholarship)$0
+$456k
-$11k
-$29k
Median Cost$41k/yr
+$310k
-$157k
-$175k
Full Cost$48k/yr
+$283k
-$184k
-$202k
ROI Efficiency Metrics⚠️ Caution: Underlying earnings data reflects graduates only. This institution flagged for high risk factors (low completion/older demographics) that may artificially inflate this ROI.
⚠️ Caution: Underlying earnings data reflects graduates only. This institution flagged for high risk factors (low completion/older demographics) that may artificially inflate this ROI.
Break-Even Age
Return on Inv. %
Zero Cost (Scholarship)$0
Never
-∞
Median Cost$41k/yr
Never
-120%
Full Cost$48k/yr
Never
-117%
Analysis Assumptions:
- Starting Salary: Estimated from the 4-year post-graduation median earnings (assuming 2% annual growth from graduation).⚠️ Warning: The high average starting age or low completion rate may inflate the Median earnings and ROI shown.
- Comparisons: "Vs Median Peer" compares to the median student nationwide in a similar level program. "Vs HS Grad" compares to a median high school graduate.
- Break-Even: The age at which the college investment net income exceeds the median high school graduate's lifetime earnings.
- NPV: Net Present Value of all future earnings minus costs and taxes, discounted at 7.8%.
Social Impact ROINew⚠️ Caution: Underlying earnings data reflects graduates only. This institution flagged for high risk factors (low completion/older demographics) that may artificially inflate this ROI.
⚠️ Caution: Underlying earnings data reflects graduates only. This institution flagged for high risk factors (low completion/older demographics) that may artificially inflate this ROI.
Measures the societal return on a donor's investment. Calculated as the incremental pre-tax lifetime earnings vs. HS grad, divided by the tax-adjusted donation cost.
Donor Return-118%
Gov. Pell Grant ROINew⚠️ Caution: Underlying earnings data reflects graduates only. This institution flagged for high risk factors (low completion/older demographics) that may artificially inflate this ROI.
⚠️ Caution: Underlying earnings data reflects graduates only. This institution flagged for high risk factors (low completion/older demographics) that may artificially inflate this ROI.
Measures the government's return on Pell Grants via increased tax revenue. Calculated as the portion of incremental lifetime taxes (discounted at 5.4%) attributed to the Pell Grant investment.
Taxpayer Return-92%
Important Note: Your ROI with any major will depend on the cost you pay to attend the program, and your starting salary. Both vary significantly across institutions. We encourage you to explore the ROI of a specific program variant by selecting the Program title of the credential level you are interested in. You will then have a more detailed return analysis for programs at specific institutions. We also encourage you to use the ROI calculator with your specific estimates of cost and salary.
Program ROI Analysis⚠️ Caution: Underlying earnings data reflects graduates only. This institution flagged for high risk factors (low completion/older demographics) that may artificially inflate this ROI.
⚠️ Caution: Underlying earnings data reflects graduates only. This institution flagged for high risk factors (low completion/older demographics) that may artificially inflate this ROI.
Associate's Degrees
Apparel and Textiles
AssocCIP: 1909
Median Debt
$18,828
Earnings (4yr)
$29,584
Natl Median: $45,422
Lifetime Value Added
-$233k
Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians
AssocCIP: 1002
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $35,660
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Computer Software and Media Applications
AssocCIP: 1108
Median Debt
$31,211
Earnings (4yr)
$60,731
Natl Median: $41,737
Lifetime Value Added
+$77k
Design and Applied Arts
AssocCIP: 5004
Median Debt
$31,937
Earnings (4yr)
$40,595
Natl Median: $38,127
Lifetime Value Added
-$120k
Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians
AssocCIP: 1513
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $55,895
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft
AssocCIP: 5005
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $31,773
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Film/Video and Photographic Arts
AssocCIP: 5006
Median Debt
$32,187
Earnings (4yr)
$42,221
Natl Median: $33,186
Lifetime Value Added
-$104k
Fine and Studio Arts
AssocCIP: 5007
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $31,650
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Graphic Communications
AssocCIP: 1003
Median Debt
-
Earnings (2yr)
$28,019
Natl Median: $36,221
Lifetime Value Added
-$237k
Journalism
AssocCIP: 0904
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $41,496
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Music
AssocCIP: 5009
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $34,056
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Specialized Sales, Merchandising and Marketing Operations
AssocCIP: 5219
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $53,002
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Vehicle Maintenance and Repair Technologies/Technicians
AssocCIP: 4706
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $58,424
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Visual and Performing Arts, General
AssocCIP: 5001
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $32,799
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Bachelor's Degrees
Apparel and Textiles
BachCIP: 1909
Median Debt
$25,500
Earnings (4yr)
$41,565
Natl Median: $57,640
Lifetime Value Added
-$248k
Architecture
BachCIP: 0402
Median Debt
-
Earnings (2yr)
$53,810
Natl Median: $66,914
Lifetime Value Added
-$127k
Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians
BachCIP: 1002
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $44,889
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Communication and Media Studies
BachCIP: 0901
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$55,742
Natl Median: $52,927
Lifetime Value Added
-$138k
Computer Programming
BachCIP: 1102
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $83,439
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Computer Software and Media Applications
BachCIP: 1108
Median Debt
$36,750
Earnings (4yr)
$73,398
Natl Median: $58,894
Lifetime Value Added
+$9k
Design and Applied Arts
BachCIP: 5004
Median Debt
$31,500
Earnings (4yr)
$38,583
Natl Median: $51,490
Lifetime Value Added
-$274k
Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians
BachCIP: 1513
Median Debt
$40,171
Earnings (4yr)
$66,783
Natl Median: $71,753
Lifetime Value Added
-$41k
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft
BachCIP: 5005
Median Debt
$30,666
Earnings (4yr)
$35,870
Natl Median: $39,775
Lifetime Value Added
-$298k
Educational/Instructional Media Design
BachCIP: 1305
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $55,308
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences Business Services
BachCIP: 1902
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $64,926
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Film/Video and Photographic Arts
BachCIP: 5006
Median Debt
$33,812
Earnings (4yr)
$46,726
Natl Median: $43,765
Lifetime Value Added
-$204k
Fine and Studio Arts
BachCIP: 5007
Median Debt
$39,570
Earnings (5yr)
$33,830
Natl Median: $41,367
Lifetime Value Added
-$321k
Graphic Communications
BachCIP: 1003
Median Debt
$31,125
Earnings (4yr)
$50,833
Natl Median: $43,283
Lifetime Value Added
-$170k
Journalism
BachCIP: 0904
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $56,278
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Landscape Architecture
BachCIP: 0406
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $66,387
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Music
BachCIP: 5009
Median Debt
$29,910
Earnings (4yr)
$33,151
Natl Median: $42,892
Lifetime Value Added
-$321k
Radio, Television, and Digital Communication
BachCIP: 0907
Median Debt
$23,473
Earnings (4yr)
$54,087
Natl Median: $50,497
Lifetime Value Added
-$143k
Specialized Sales, Merchandising and Marketing Operations
BachCIP: 5219
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$60,284
Natl Median: $59,631
Lifetime Value Added
-$93k
Visual and Performing Arts, General
BachCIP: 5001
Median Debt
$31,000
Earnings (4yr)
$43,084
Natl Median: $41,688
Lifetime Value Added
-$235k
Master's Degrees
Apparel and Textiles
MastCIP: 1909
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $64,913
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Audiovisual Communications Technologies/Technicians
MastCIP: 1002
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $64,808
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Computer Software and Media Applications
MastCIP: 1108
Median Debt
$71,352
Earnings (4yr)
$87,998
Natl Median: $120,083
Lifetime Value Added
+$61k
Design and Applied Arts
MastCIP: 5004
Median Debt
$93,267
Earnings (4yr)
$57,636
Natl Median: $70,073
Lifetime Value Added
-$209k
Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies/Technicians
MastCIP: 1513
Median Debt
$84,794
Earnings (4yr)
$71,613
Natl Median: $72,860
Lifetime Value Added
-$83k
Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft
MastCIP: 5005
Median Debt
$104,875
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $49,978
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Educational/Instructional Media Design
MastCIP: 1305
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $70,644
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Film/Video and Photographic Arts
MastCIP: 5006
Median Debt
$113,213
Earnings (4yr)
$58,879
Natl Median: $51,486
Lifetime Value Added
-$197k
Fine and Studio Arts
MastCIP: 5007
Median Debt
$91,156
Earnings (4yr)
$46,730
Natl Median: $49,079
Lifetime Value Added
-$313k
Graphic Communications
MastCIP: 1003
Median Debt
$83,224
Earnings (4yr)
$64,026
Natl Median: $57,810
Lifetime Value Added
-$150k
Journalism
MastCIP: 0904
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $69,034
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Landscape Architecture
MastCIP: 0406
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $70,306
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Music
MastCIP: 5009
Median Debt
-
Earnings (5yr)
$62,287
Natl Median: $48,285
Lifetime Value Added
-$177k
Radio, Television, and Digital Communication
MastCIP: 0907
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $75,972
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Specialized Sales, Merchandising and Marketing Operations
MastCIP: 5219
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$62,856
Natl Median: $120,246
Lifetime Value Added
-$161k
Teacher Education and Professional Development, Specific Subject Areas
MastCIP: 1313
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
-
Natl Median: $63,707
Lifetime Value Added
N/A
Visual and Performing Arts, General
MastCIP: 5001
Median Debt
-
Earnings (4yr)
$51,874
Natl Median: $59,460
Lifetime Value Added
-$263k
Note: Lifetime Value Added is the Net Present Value (NPV) of estimated career earnings relative to a median high school graduate (for undergraduate programs) or a median bachelor's degree holder (for graduate programs), accounting for this institution's average cost and taxes. Computed over a career to retirement age.
For graduate programs (Master's, Doctoral, etc.), the calculation assumes a starting age of 22 (after undergraduate completion) and does not include the sunk costs of prior degrees. It represents the value added of the graduate decision moving forward. These Lifetime Value Added results for graduate degrees should not be compared with those for Undergraduate Certificates, Associates or Bachelors.
Completers Only: Federal median earnings data strictly reflects outcomes for students who successfully graduated. Students who do not complete their degree typically earn significantly less and face higher risks of debt default.