California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt vs Academy of Art University: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt comes closer — median earnings $47,626 against a $52,684 total, vs $39,008 at Academy of Art University. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt | Academy of Art University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $13,171 | $40,613 |
| Total net cost | $52,684 | $162,452 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $47,626 | $39,008 |
| Median debt | $18,000 | $31,000 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$67,364 | -$349,492 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt or Academy of Art University?
California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt, at $13,171 a year after aid versus $40,613 — a gap of $27,442 a year, or $109,768 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt or Academy of Art University graduates earn more?
California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt graduates report a median $47,626 ten years after entry, $8,618 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, California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt or Academy of Art University?
California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt: its completers carry a median $18,000 in federal loans versus $31,000 at Academy of Art University, a difference of $13,000. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
49% of students finish at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt, 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.