Head-to-head comparison
Academy of Art University vs North-West College-San Diego: which has better ROI?
Option A San Francisco, CA
Academy of Art University
- Net price / year
- $40,613
- Earnings, 10 years
- $39,008
- Payback
- No payback
Option B San Diego, CA
North-West College-San Diego
- Net price / year
- $46,503
- Earnings, 10 years
- $41,472
- Payback
- No payback
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but North-West College-San Diego comes closer — median earnings $41,472 against a $93,006 total, vs $39,008 at Academy of Art University. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | Academy of Art University | North-West College-San Diego |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $40,613 | $46,503 |
| Total net cost | $162,452 | $93,006 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $39,008 | $41,472 |
| Median debt | $31,000 | $9,500 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$349,492 | -$230,766 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, Academy of Art University or North-West College-San Diego?
Academy of Art University, at $40,613 a year after aid versus $46,503 — a gap of $5,890 a year, or $69,446 across the full degree. These are net prices after grants and scholarships, not sticker prices, so they reflect what an aided student pays.
The short answer
Do Academy of Art University or North-West College-San Diego graduates earn more?
North-West College-San Diego graduates report a median $41,472 ten years after entry, $2,464 more than the $39,008 at Academy of Art University. 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.
The short answer
Which leaves students with less debt, Academy of Art University or North-West College-San Diego?
North-West College-San Diego: its completers carry a median $9,500 in federal loans versus $31,000 at Academy of Art University, a difference of $21,500. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.