Victor Valley College vs Academy of Art University: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but Victor Valley College comes closer — median earnings $36,119 against a $3,894 total, vs $39,008 at Academy of Art University. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Victor Valley College | Academy of Art University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $1,947 | $40,613 |
| Total net cost | $3,894 | $162,452 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $36,119 | $39,008 |
| Median debt | — | $31,000 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$248,714 | -$349,492 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, Victor Valley College or Academy of Art University?
Victor Valley College, at $1,947 a year after aid versus $40,613 — a gap of $38,666 a year, or $158,558 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do Victor Valley College or Academy of Art University graduates earn more?
Academy of Art University graduates report a median $39,008 ten years after entry, $2,889 more than the $36,119 at Victor Valley 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?
62% of students finish at Victor Valley 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.