Art Center College of Design vs Southern California Institute of Architecture: which has better ROI?
Southern California Institute of Architecture has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $175,692 in 7.5 years versus 8.2 years at Art Center College of Design, on median earnings of $71,909 vs $71,958 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Art Center College of Design | Southern California Institute of Architecture |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $48,661 | $43,923 |
| Total net cost | $194,644 | $175,692 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $71,958 | $71,909 |
| Median debt | $31,000 | — |
| Payback | 8.2 yrs | 7.5 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $277,316 | $295,288 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Art Center College of Design or Southern California Institute of Architecture?
Southern California Institute of Architecture, at $43,923 a year after aid versus $48,661 — a gap of $4,738 a year, or $18,952 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Art Center College of Design or Southern California Institute of Architecture graduates earn more?
Art Center College of Design graduates report a median $71,958 ten years after entry, $49 more than the $71,909 at Southern California Institute of Architecture. 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?
79% of students finish at Art Center College of Design, against 71% at Southern California Institute of Architecture. 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.