Academy of Art University vs American Jewish University
Side-by-side college ROI comparison from College Scorecard data
Verdict
Academy of Art University has a 100.0% graduation rate compared to American Jewish University at 100.0%. Average median debt: Academy of Art University at $29,980 vs American Jewish University at $30,144. Average first-year post-graduation earnings: $53,278 vs $52,667.
| Metric | Academy of Art University | American Jewish University |
|---|---|---|
| Graduation Rate | 100.0% | 100.0% |
| School Type | Private | Private |
| State | Ca | Ca |
| Avg Median Debt Average median debt across all tracked majors | $29,980* | $30,144 |
| Avg 1yr Earnings Average first-year earnings across all tracked majors | $53,278* | $52,667 |
| Majors Tracked | 18 | 3 |
| Best ROI Major | Computer Software and Media Applications (94/100)* | Business Administration, Management and Operations (76/100) |
| Best Major Debt | $25,483* | $30,144 |
| Best Major 1yr Earnings | $95,000* | $65,000 |
Academy of Art University has a 100.0% graduation rate compared to American Jewish University at 100.0%. Average median debt: Academy of Art University at $29,980 vs American Jewish University at $30,144. Average first-year post-graduation earnings: $53,278 vs $52,667.
Explore More
Related Colleges
Avg debt $31K · $69K 1yr earnings
Avg debt $22K · $40K 1yr earnings
Avg debt $25K · $62K 1yr earnings
Avg debt $48K · $62K 1yr earnings
Avg debt $39K · $62K 1yr earnings
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 of Art University and American Jewish 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 are roughly comparable between the schools — $52,667 and $53,278. With earnings close, the financial comparison turns mostly on the cost side: total debt at graduation is the lever, since the earnings denominator essentially nets out.
Both schools sit in Ca, which simplifies the in-state-vs-out-of-state tuition question and aligns the regional labor markets students will enter post-graduation. Cross-school comparisons within the same state should weight program mix and employer-pipeline depth heavily — the cost-of-living and labor-market backdrop is effectively held constant, so program-level differences are the differentiator.
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, 2026.