At $34,298/yr net price, American Academy of Art College graduates earn $34,324/yr within 10 years of enrollment, which is $324/yr above the median for high school graduates.
Cost vs. Outcomes
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Average Net Price (per year) | $34,298 |
| Estimated 4-Year Cost | $137,192 |
| Median Earnings (10yr post-entry) | $34,324/yr |
| Earnings Premium vs. HS Diploma | +$324/yr |
| Estimated Break-Even | 423.4 years |
| Graduation Rate (6-year) | 45.0% |
| Median Debt at Graduation | $27,000 |
What You'll Actually Pay
Average net price by family income
| Family Income | Estimated Net Price |
|---|---|
| $0 - $30,000 | $31,011/yr |
| $30,001 - $48,000 | $31,834/yr |
| $48,001 - $75,000 | $33,296/yr |
| $75,001 - $110,000 | $34,820/yr |
| $110,001+ | $43,705/yr |
Earnings by Major
Top programs ranked by median earnings
| Program | Level | Median Earnings | Median Debt |
|---|---|---|---|
| Design and Applied Arts. | Bachelor | $23,719 | $30,125 |
| Fine and Studio Arts. | Bachelor | $19,866 |
The Risk Factor
45.0% of students at American Academy of Art College graduate within 6 years. More than half of students finish, but the dropout rate is a real factor in whether this investment pays off.
Analysis
American Academy of Art College is a hard sell financially. You pay a net price of $34,298 a year, and ten years after enrolling the median graduate earns $34,324 a year. That means a single year's cost roughly equals your entire annual salary a decade out. For a four-year degree, you are spending far more than you are likely to earn back quickly.
The program numbers are worse than the school-wide median suggests. A bachelor's in Design and Applied Arts pays $23,719 a year while carrying $30,125 in debt. Fine and Studio Arts pays even less at $19,866. Both sit below what many jobs requiring no degree pay in the Chicago area. Neither of the two listed programs clears a wage that justifies the borrowing.
The risks here are concrete. Only 45% of students graduate, and half don't return after their first year. If you leave without the degree, you still owe the debt with none of the credential. Art careers are freelance-heavy and income is uneven, which makes a $27,000 median debt load harder to service on the earnings shown.
The net price barely moves by income. If your family earns under $30,000, you pay about $31,011. if you earn over $110,000, you pay $43,705. So low-income families get only modest relief and still face a bill near $31,000 a year. That gap between cost and later earnings hits hardest if you borrow the full amount.
This school makes financial sense only if you have outside funding, minimal need to borrow, and a clear plan to earn from your art. If you need the degree to pay for itself through salary alone, the numbers do not work, and a lower-cost art program or public school would leave you with far less debt for similar creative training.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is American Academy of Art College worth the cost?
With a net price of $34,298 per year and median earnings of $34,324 ten years after graduation, the financial return is minimal. The low graduation rate of 45% adds significant risk to this investment.
What is the average salary after graduating from American Academy of Art College?
Graduates earn a median of $34,324 ten years after completing their degree. This means your annual earnings will roughly equal what you pay for one year of attendance.
Which programs at American Academy of Art College have the best job prospects?
Design and Applied Arts graduates earn around $23,719 annually, while Fine and Studio Arts graduates make about $19,866. Both figures are well below the national average and may not justify the school's cost.
How much debt do American Academy of Art College students typically have?
The median debt load is $27,000, which is manageable compared to the school's high tuition. However, the low earning potential makes even this modest debt burden challenging to repay.