Academy of Art University
CA · Private · 100% graduation rate
ROI by Major
Debt and earnings data sourced from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard. ROI grades compare median student debt at graduation to earnings 1 and 5 years after completion, adjusted for NCES IPEDS graduation rates.
| Major | Median Debt | Year 1 Earnings | Year 5 Earnings | ROI Grade | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Software and Media Applications | $25K | $95K | $147K | A | STRONG BUY |
| Computer Programming | $25K | $95K | $147K | A | STRONG BUY |
| Drafting/Design Engineering Technologies | $30K | $65K | $92K | B | BUY |
| Specialized Sales, Merchandising and Marketing Operations | $30K | $65K | $89K | B | BUY |
| Landscape Architecture | $30K | $58K | $78K | C | BUY |
| Radio, Television, and Digital Communication | $30K | $52K | $69K | C | CAUTION |
| Audiovisual Communications Technologies | $30K | $48K | $65K | C | CAUTION |
| Journalism | $30K | $52K | $69K | C | CAUTION |
| Graphic Communications | $30K | $48K | $65K | D | CAUTION |
| Educational/Instructional Media Design | $30K | $45K | $60K | D | CAUTION |
| Family and Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences Business Services | $30K | $42K | $57K | D | CAUTION |
| Design and Applied Arts | $31K | $42K | $57K | D | CAUTION |
| Film/Video and Photographic Arts | $31K | $42K | $57K | D | CAUTION |
| Apparel and Textiles | $30K | $42K | $57K | D | CAUTION |
| Visual and Performing Arts | $31K | $42K | $57K | D | CAUTION |
| Fine and Studio Arts | $31K | $42K | $57K | D | CAUTION |
| Music | $31K | $42K | $57K | D | CAUTION |
| Drama/Theatre Arts and Stagecraft | $31K | $42K | $57K | D | CAUTION |
Frequently Asked Questions
It depends on your major. The highest-ROI major at Academy of Art University earns a grade of A, with median debt of $25K and year-5 earnings of $147K. Compare debt-to-earnings ratios across majors before deciding.
Academy of Art University has a 100% graduation rate. A higher graduation rate generally correlates with better student support and outcomes, which can impact your return on investment.
Median debt varies significantly by major at Academy of Art University. For example, Computer Software and Media Applications graduates have median debt of $25K. Review the ROI by Major table above for a full breakdown.
The top-earning major is Computer Software and Media Applications with median year-5 earnings of $147K. We rank each major by its debt-to-earnings ROI score to help you compare options.
Related Schools & Majors
ROI scores are calculated by comparing median debt at graduation to median earnings 1 and 5 years after completion, weighted by graduation rate. Grades range from A (strong return) to F (poor return).