College of Marin vs Academy of Art University: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but College of Marin comes closer — median earnings $42,654 against a $24,702 total, vs $39,008 at Academy of Art University. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | College of Marin | Academy of Art University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $12,351 | $40,613 |
| Total net cost | $24,702 | $162,452 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $42,654 | $39,008 |
| Median debt | $10,062 | $31,000 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$138,822 | -$349,492 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, College of Marin or Academy of Art University?
College of Marin, at $12,351 a year after aid versus $40,613 — a gap of $28,262 a year, or $137,750 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 Marin or Academy of Art University graduates earn more?
College of Marin graduates report a median $42,654 ten years after entry, $3,646 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, College of Marin or Academy of Art University?
College of Marin: its completers carry a median $10,062 in federal loans versus $31,000 at Academy of Art University, a difference of $20,938. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
39% of students finish at College of Marin, 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.