Head-to-head comparison
California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt vs Academy of Art University: which has better ROI?
Option A Arcata, CA
California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt
- Net price / year
- $13,171
- Earnings, 10 years
- $47,626
- Payback
- No payback
Option B San Francisco, CA
Academy of Art University
- Net price / year
- $40,613
- Earnings, 10 years
- $39,008
- Payback
- No payback
Neither clears its cost on institution-wide earnings, but California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt comes closer — median earnings $47,626 against a $52,684 total, vs $39,008 at Academy of Art University. (Scorecard, 2026 · our math.)
| Measure | California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt | Academy of Art University |
|---|---|---|
| Net price / yr | $13,171 | $40,613 |
| Total net cost | $52,684 | $162,452 |
| Median earnings, 10 yrs | $47,626 | $39,008 |
| Median debt | $18,000 | $31,000 |
| Payback | — | — |
| 20-year net return | -$67,364 | -$349,492 |
College Scorecard (2026), institution-level · payback and returns are our math. Figures blend all majors.
The short answer
Which is cheaper, California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt or Academy of Art University?
California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt, at $13,171 a year after aid versus $40,613 — a gap of $27,442 a year, or $109,768 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 California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt or Academy of Art University graduates earn more?
California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt graduates report a median $47,626 ten years after entry, $8,618 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, California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt or Academy of Art University?
California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt: its completers carry a median $18,000 in federal loans versus $31,000 at Academy of Art University, a difference of $13,000. The figure counts students who finished; it excludes private loans and anyone who left before graduating.
The short answer
Which graduates more of its students?
49% of students finish at California State Polytechnic University-Humboldt, against 34% at Academy of Art University. Completion matters to the ROI arithmetic because a degree that is never finished still carries its cost and its debt, but earns none of the graduate premium above the $48,360 high-school baseline.