Art Center College of Design vs Woodbury University: which has better ROI?
Woodbury University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $134,768 in 7.8 years versus 8.2 years at Art Center College of Design, on median earnings of $65,668 vs $71,958 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Art Center College of Design | Woodbury University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $48,661 | $33,692 |
| Total net cost | $194,644 | $134,768 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $71,958 | $65,668 |
| Median debt | $31,000 | $26,960 |
| Payback | 8.2 yrs | 7.8 yrs |
| 20-year net return | $277,316 | $211,392 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Art Center College of Design or Woodbury University?
Woodbury University, at $33,692 a year after aid versus $48,661 — a gap of $14,969 a year, or $59,876 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 Woodbury University graduates earn more?
Art Center College of Design graduates report a median $71,958 ten years after entry, $6,290 more than the $65,668 at Woodbury 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, Art Center College of Design or Woodbury University?
Woodbury University: its completers carry a median $26,960 in federal loans versus $31,000 at Art Center College of Design, a difference of $4,040. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
79% of students finish at Art Center College of Design, against 60% at Woodbury 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.