Los Angeles Southwest College vs Academy of Art University: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Los Angeles Southwest College comes closer — median earnings $32,172 against a $11,928 total, vs $39,008 at Academy of Art University. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Los Angeles Southwest College | Academy of Art University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $5,964 | $40,613 |
| Total net cost | $11,928 | $162,452 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $32,172 | $39,008 |
| Median debt | — | $31,000 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$335,688 | -$349,492 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Los Angeles Southwest College or Academy of Art University?
Los Angeles Southwest College, at $5,964 a year after aid versus $40,613 — a gap of $34,649 a year, or $150,524 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Los Angeles Southwest College or Academy of Art University graduates earn more?
Academy of Art University graduates report a median $39,008 ten years after entry, $6,836 more than the $32,172 at Los Angeles Southwest 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?
34% of students finish at Academy of Art University, against 34% at Los Angeles Southwest 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.