Academy of Art University vs Universal Technical Institute of Northern California Inc: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Universal Technical Institute of Northern California Inc comes closer — median earnings $48,341 against a $57,774 total, vs $39,008 at Academy of Art University. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Academy of Art University | Universal Technical Institute of Northern California Inc |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $40,613 | $28,887 |
| Total net cost | $162,452 | $57,774 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $39,008 | $48,341 |
| Median debt | $31,000 | $13,097 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$349,492 | -$58,154 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Academy of Art University or Universal Technical Institute of Northern California Inc?
Universal Technical Institute of Northern California Inc, at $28,887 a year after aid versus $40,613 — a gap of $11,726 a year, or $104,678 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 Universal Technical Institute of Northern California Inc graduates earn more?
Universal Technical Institute of Northern California Inc graduates report a median $48,341 ten years after entry, $9,333 more than the $39,008 at Academy of Art University. 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 Universal Technical Institute of Northern California Inc?
Universal Technical Institute of Northern California Inc: its completers carry a median $13,097 in federal loans versus $31,000 at Academy of Art University, a difference of $17,903. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
65% of students finish at Universal Technical Institute of Northern California Inc, 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.