Degree Dividend
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Academy of Art University vs American Medical Sciences Center: which has better ROI?

Private for-profit, San Francisco CA · vs · Private for-profit, Glendale CA

The verdict

Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Academy of Art University comes closer — median earnings $39,008 against a $162,452 total, vs $29,972 at American Medical Sciences Center. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)

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Head to head
MeasureAcademy of Art UniversityAmerican Medical Sciences Center
Net price / yr$40,613$21,629
Total net cost$162,452$86,516
Median earnings, 10 yrs$39,008$29,972
Median debt$31,000
Payback
20-year net return-$349,492-$454,276

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

Which is cheaper, Academy of Art University or American Medical Sciences Center?

American Medical Sciences Center, at $21,629 a year after aid versus $40,613 — a gap of $18,984 a year, or $75,936 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 Medical Sciences Center graduates earn more?

Academy of Art University graduates report a median $39,008 ten years after entry, $9,036 more than the $29,972 at American Medical Sciences Center. 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 graduates more of its students?

75% of students finish at American Medical Sciences Center, 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.

Academy of Art University vs American Medical Sciences Center: frequently asked questions

Is Academy of Art University or American Medical Sciences Center a better value?
Academy of Art 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, Academy of Art University or American Medical Sciences Center?
American Medical Sciences Center: $21,629/yr net price after aid versus $40,613/yr at Academy of Art University — a difference of $18,984 a year, or about $75,936 over four years.
Do Academy of Art University or American Medical Sciences Center graduates earn more?
Academy of Art University graduates earn a median $39,008 ten years after entry, versus $29,972 at American Medical Sciences Center — a $9,036 gap. This blends every major, so a specific field can flip it.