San Francisco State University vs Academy of Art University: which has better ROI?
San Francisco State University has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $49,112 in 2.5 years versus not at all at Academy of Art University, on median earnings of $68,077 vs $39,008 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | San Francisco State University | Academy of Art University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $12,278 | $40,613 |
| Total net cost | $49,112 | $162,452 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $68,077 | $39,008 |
| Median debt | $15,371 | $31,000 |
| Payback | 2.5 yrs | — |
| 20-year net return | $345,228 | -$349,492 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, San Francisco State University or Academy of Art University?
San Francisco State University, at $12,278 a year after aid versus $40,613 — a gap of $28,335 a year, or $113,340 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 Francisco State University or Academy of Art University graduates earn more?
San Francisco State University graduates report a median $68,077 ten years after entry, $29,069 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 leaves students with less debt, San Francisco State University or Academy of Art University?
San Francisco State University: its completers carry a median $15,371 in federal loans versus $31,000 at Academy of Art University, a difference of $15,629. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
50% of students finish at San Francisco State University, 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.