Chaffey College vs Academy of Art University: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Chaffey College comes closer — median earnings $42,975 against a $11,344 total, vs $39,008 at Academy of Art University. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Chaffey College | Academy of Art University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $5,672 | $40,613 |
| Total net cost | $11,344 | $162,452 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $42,975 | $39,008 |
| Median debt | — | $31,000 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$119,044 | -$349,492 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Chaffey College or Academy of Art University?
Chaffey College, at $5,672 a year after aid versus $40,613 — a gap of $34,941 a year, or $151,108 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Chaffey College or Academy of Art University graduates earn more?
Chaffey College graduates report a median $42,975 ten years after entry, $3,967 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?
36% of students finish at Chaffey 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.