Crafton Hills College vs Academy of Art University: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Crafton Hills College comes closer — median earnings $42,553 against a $22,662 total, vs $39,008 at Academy of Art University. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Crafton Hills College | Academy of Art University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $11,331 | $40,613 |
| Total net cost | $22,662 | $162,452 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $42,553 | $39,008 |
| Median debt | — | $31,000 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$138,802 | -$349,492 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Crafton Hills College or Academy of Art University?
Crafton Hills College, at $11,331 a year after aid versus $40,613 — a gap of $29,282 a year, or $139,790 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Crafton Hills College or Academy of Art University graduates earn more?
Crafton Hills College graduates report a median $42,553 ten years after entry, $3,545 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 Crafton Hills 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.