Academy of Art University vs American Career College-Anaheim: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but American Career College-Anaheim comes closer — median earnings $38,430 against a $124,872 total, vs $39,008 at Academy of Art University. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Academy of Art University | American Career College-Anaheim |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $40,613 | $31,218 |
| Total net cost | $162,452 | $124,872 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $39,008 | $38,430 |
| Median debt | $31,000 | $9,500 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$349,492 | -$323,472 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Academy of Art University or American Career College-Anaheim?
American Career College-Anaheim, at $31,218 a year after aid versus $40,613 — a gap of $9,395 a year, or $37,580 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Academy of Art University or American Career College-Anaheim graduates earn more?
Academy of Art University graduates report a median $39,008 ten years after entry, $578 more than the $38,430 at American Career College-Anaheim. 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.
Which leaves students with less debt, Academy of Art University or American Career College-Anaheim?
American Career College-Anaheim: its completers carry a median $9,500 in federal loans versus $31,000 at Academy of Art University, a difference of $21,500. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
70% of students finish at American Career College-Anaheim, against 34% at Academy of Art University. 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.