Contra Costa College vs Academy of Art University: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Contra Costa College comes closer — median earnings $40,850 against a $18,980 total, vs $39,008 at Academy of Art University. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Contra Costa College | Academy of Art University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $9,490 | $40,613 |
| Total net cost | $18,980 | $162,452 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $40,850 | $39,008 |
| Median debt | — | $31,000 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$169,180 | -$349,492 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Contra Costa College or Academy of Art University?
Contra Costa College, at $9,490 a year after aid versus $40,613 — a gap of $31,123 a year, or $143,472 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Contra Costa College or Academy of Art University graduates earn more?
Contra Costa College graduates report a median $40,850 ten years after entry, $1,842 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 28% at Contra Costa College. 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.