Academy of Art University vs Woodland Community College: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Woodland Community College comes closer — median earnings $40,042 against a $16,712 total, vs $39,008 at Academy of Art University. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Academy of Art University | Woodland Community College |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $40,613 | $8,356 |
| Total net cost | $162,452 | $16,712 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $39,008 | $40,042 |
| Median debt | $31,000 | — |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$349,492 | -$183,072 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Academy of Art University or Woodland Community College?
Woodland Community College, at $8,356 a year after aid versus $40,613 — a gap of $32,257 a year, or $145,740 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 Woodland Community College graduates earn more?
Woodland Community College graduates report a median $40,042 ten years after entry, $1,034 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 graduates more of its students?
43% of students finish at Woodland Community College, 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.