Is Academy of Art University Worth the Debt?
Graduates of Academy of Art University earn a median of $74,274 within 5 years, against a median debt of $29,980. The graduation rate is 10000%.
Key Data
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Avg Median Debt | $29,980 |
| Avg Median Earnings (1yr) | $53,278 |
| Avg Median Earnings (5yr) | $74,274 |
| Graduation Rate | 10000% |
| School Type | private |
| Majors Available | 18 |
Top Majors by ROI
| Major | ROI Score | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Computer Software and Media Applications | 94/100 | A |
| Computer Programming | 94/100 | A |
| Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies | 82/100 | A |
| Specialized Sales, Merchandising and Marketing Operations | 77/100 | B |
| Landscape Architecture | 72/100 | B |
How does Academy of Art University compare?
Average debt at Academy of Art University is $29,980, which is $3,685 above the national average of $26,295 for federal aid recipients. First-year earnings of $53,278 sit $4,497 below the national average of $57,775.
That works out to a debt-to-income ratio of 0.56x — meaning a graduate would need 0.6 years of full pre-tax first-year salary to clear the debt. Below 1.0x is considered manageable on a 10-year standard repayment plan. Picking the right major matters more than picking the school: at Academy of Art University, the Computer Software and Media Applications program scores Grade A on ROI (STRONG BUY).
Graduates of Academy of Art University earn a median of $74,274 within 5 years, against a median debt of $29,980. The graduation rate is 10000%.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, 2026.