Cuyamaca College vs Academy of Art University: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Cuyamaca College comes closer — median earnings $32,435 against a $13,236 total, vs $39,008 at Academy of Art University. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Cuyamaca College | Academy of Art University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $6,618 | $40,613 |
| Total net cost | $13,236 | $162,452 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $32,435 | $39,008 |
| Median debt | — | $31,000 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$331,736 | -$349,492 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Cuyamaca College or Academy of Art University?
Cuyamaca College, at $6,618 a year after aid versus $40,613 — a gap of $33,995 a year, or $149,216 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Cuyamaca College or Academy of Art University graduates earn more?
Academy of Art University graduates report a median $39,008 ten years after entry, $6,573 more than the $32,435 at Cuyamaca College. 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?
41% of students finish at Cuyamaca College, 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.