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CollegeROIData

Academy College vs Academy of Art University

Side-by-side college ROI comparison from College Scorecard data

Reviewed by CollegeROIData Editorial Team · Updated

Verdict

Academy College has a 100.0% graduation rate compared to Academy of Art University at 100.0%. Average median debt: Academy College at $31,004 vs Academy of Art University at $29,980. Average first-year post-graduation earnings: $60,000 vs $53,278.

MetricAcademy CollegeAcademy of Art University
Graduation Rate100.0%100.0%
School TypePrivatePrivate
StateMnCa
Avg Median Debt
Average median debt across all tracked majors
$31,004$29,980*
Avg 1yr Earnings
Average first-year earnings across all tracked majors
$60,000*$53,278
Majors Tracked218
Best ROI MajorBusiness Administration, Management and Operations (76/100)Computer Software and Media Applications (94/100)*
Best Major Debt$31,004$25,483*
Best Major 1yr Earnings$65,000$95,000*

Academy College has a 100.0% graduation rate compared to Academy of Art University at 100.0%. Average median debt: Academy College at $31,004 vs Academy of Art University at $29,980. Average first-year post-graduation earnings: $60,000 vs $53,278.

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Completion rates run close at the two schools: 100.0% versus 100.0%. When graduation probability is comparable across both options, the decision comes down to cost and post-graduation earnings rather than degree-completion risk.

Average median debt is roughly even across Academy College and Academy of Art University. The cost side of the comparison effectively cancels out; the meaningful question becomes whether the program mix and the earnings outcomes differ enough to break the tie.

Median first-year earnings sit moderately apart at Academy College and Academy of Art University. The school with stronger earnings has a real edge for high-cost-of-living markets where the absolute dollar figure matters; the school with lower earnings can still be the better choice in markets where the cost-of-living differential more than offsets the income gap.

Academy College sits in Mn and Academy of Art University in Ca. The geographic spread matters for cost (in-state vs. out-of-state tuition typically diverges sharply at public schools) and for post-graduation labor market (most schools place students primarily into regional employers). Cross-state comparisons should account for the residency-cost differential at any public option and the labor-market trajectory each campus connects students to.

Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, 2026.