San Diego City College vs Academy of Art University: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but San Diego City College comes closer — median earnings $38,503 against a $15,870 total, vs $39,008 at Academy of Art University. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | San Diego City College | Academy of Art University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $7,935 | $40,613 |
| Total net cost | $15,870 | $162,452 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $38,503 | $39,008 |
| Median debt | $7,689 | $31,000 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$213,010 | -$349,492 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, San Diego City College or Academy of Art University?
San Diego City College, at $7,935 a year after aid versus $40,613 — a gap of $32,678 a year, or $146,582 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do San Diego City College or Academy of Art University graduates earn more?
Academy of Art University graduates report a median $39,008 ten years after entry, $505 more than the $38,503 at San Diego City 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 leaves students with less debt, San Diego City College or Academy of Art University?
San Diego City College: its completers carry a median $7,689 in federal loans versus $31,000 at Academy of Art University, a difference of $23,311. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
34% of students finish at Academy of Art University, against 30% at San Diego City 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.