Academy of Art University vs Baldwin Park Adult & Community Education: which has better ROI?
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 $32,069 at Baldwin Park Adult & Community Education. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Academy of Art University | Baldwin Park Adult & Community Education |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $40,613 | $6,665 |
| Total net cost | $162,452 | $26,660 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $39,008 | $32,069 |
| Median debt | $31,000 | — |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$349,492 | -$352,480 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Academy of Art University or Baldwin Park Adult & Community Education?
Baldwin Park Adult & Community Education, at $6,665 a year after aid versus $40,613 — a gap of $33,948 a year, or $135,792 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 Baldwin Park Adult & Community Education graduates earn more?
Academy of Art University graduates report a median $39,008 ten years after entry, $6,939 more than the $32,069 at Baldwin Park Adult & Community Education. 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?
71% of students finish at Baldwin Park Adult & Community Education, 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.