West Los Angeles College vs Academy of Art University: which has better ROI?
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but West Los Angeles College comes closer — median earnings $38,537 against a $38,536 total, vs $39,008 at Academy of Art University. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | West Los Angeles College | Academy of Art University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $9,634 | $40,613 |
| Total net cost | $38,536 | $162,452 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $38,537 | $39,008 |
| Median debt | $13,500 | $31,000 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$234,996 | -$349,492 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
Which is cheaper, West Los Angeles College or Academy of Art University?
West Los Angeles College, at $9,634 a year after aid versus $40,613 — a gap of $30,979 a year, or $123,916 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
Do West Los Angeles College or Academy of Art University graduates earn more?
Academy of Art University graduates report a median $39,008 ten years after entry, $471 more than the $38,537 at West Los Angeles 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, West Los Angeles College or Academy of Art University?
West Los Angeles College: its completers carry a median $13,500 in federal loans versus $31,000 at Academy of Art University, a difference of $17,500. 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 28% at West Los Angeles 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.