Academy of Art University vs Palo Verde College: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Palo Verde College comes closer — median earnings $36,389 against a $75,972 total, vs $39,008 at Academy of Art University. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Academy of Art University | Palo Verde College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $40,613 | $18,993 |
| Total net cost | $162,452 | $75,972 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $39,008 | $36,389 |
| Median debt | $31,000 | — |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$349,492 | -$315,392 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Academy of Art University or Palo Verde College?
Palo Verde College, at $18,993 a year after aid versus $40,613 — a gap of $21,620 a year, or $86,480 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 Palo Verde College graduates earn more?
Academy of Art University graduates report a median $39,008 ten years after entry, $2,619 more than the $36,389 at Palo Verde College. 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?
34% of students finish at Academy of Art University, against 31% at Palo Verde College. 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.