University of San Francisco vs Academy of Art University: which has better ROI?
University of San Francisco has the better ROI: it clears its 4-year net cost of $165,724 in 4 years versus not at all at Academy of Art University, on median earnings of $89,812 vs $39,008 ten years out. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | University of San Francisco | Academy of Art University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $41,431 | $40,613 |
| Total net cost | $165,724 | $162,452 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $89,812 | $39,008 |
| Median debt | $23,000 | $31,000 |
| Payback | 4 yrs | — |
| 20-year net return | $663,316 | -$349,492 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, University of San Francisco or Academy of Art University?
Academy of Art University, at $40,613 a year after aid versus $41,431 — a gap of $818 a year, or $3,272 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do University of San Francisco or Academy of Art University graduates earn more?
University of San Francisco graduates report a median $89,812 ten years after entry, $50,804 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, University of San Francisco or Academy of Art University?
University of San Francisco: its completers carry a median $23,000 in federal loans versus $31,000 at Academy of Art University, a difference of $8,000. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
Which graduates more of its students?
70% of students finish at University of San Francisco, 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.