College of the Desert vs Academy of Art University: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but College of the Desert comes closer — median earnings $39,020 against a $62,912 total, vs $39,008 at Academy of Art University. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | College of the Desert | Academy of Art University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $15,728 | $40,613 |
| Total net cost | $62,912 | $162,452 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $39,020 | $39,008 |
| Median debt | — | $31,000 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$249,712 | -$349,492 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, College of the Desert or Academy of Art University?
College of the Desert, at $15,728 a year after aid versus $40,613 — a gap of $24,885 a year, or $99,540 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 the Desert or Academy of Art University graduates earn more?
College of the Desert graduates report a median $39,020 ten years after entry, $12 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 31% at College of the Desert. 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.