College of Alameda vs Academy of Art University: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but College of Alameda comes closer — median earnings $42,563 against a $16,992 total, vs $39,008 at Academy of Art University. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | College of Alameda | Academy of Art University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $8,496 | $40,613 |
| Total net cost | $16,992 | $162,452 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $42,563 | $39,008 |
| Median debt | — | $31,000 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$132,932 | -$349,492 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, College of Alameda or Academy of Art University?
College of Alameda, at $8,496 a year after aid versus $40,613 — a gap of $32,117 a year, or $145,460 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do College of Alameda or Academy of Art University graduates earn more?
College of Alameda graduates report a median $42,563 ten years after entry, $3,555 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?
34% of students finish at Academy of Art University, against 33% at College of Alameda. 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.